Shonda Rhimes addressed Eric Dane's omission from the Oscars' In Memoriam, noting that "Eric was unique to television," and that he was "not a movie star"
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Rhimes expressed hope that the Emmys will honor Dane appropriately, calling him an incredible and unique individual
Dane, best known as Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey's Anatomy, was remembered with a tribute montage on the long-running ABC series in February
Shonda Rhimesis speaking out about the lateEric Dane's omission from the In Memoriam tribute at the2026 Oscars.
Rhimes was asked about the omission following the Sunday, March 15, event while attendingVanity Fair's Oscar Party.
"Well, he's not a movie star," theGrey's Anatomyshowrunner, 56, toldET.
"I feel like when the Emmys come around, he will be immortalized the way he should be," she added. "You can't fault the Oscars for the fact they're looking at movies, and there were so many people who are lost. Eric was unique to television and I can't wait to see what they (Emmys) do with him."
The ceremony'sIn Memoriammontage included a dedication fromBilly CrystaltoRob ReinerandMichelle Singer Reiner,followed by a joint appearance by many stars from Reiner's films. A speechby Rachel McAdams about Diane Keaton and Catherine O'Hara,anda musical moment that Barbra Streisand dedicated to Robert Redfordwere also included in the moment at Sunday's ceremony.
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While Dane, whodied at the age of 53 on Feb. 19, had movie credits to his name including 2006'sX-Men: The Last Standand 2008'sMarley & Me,his rise to stardom came through his role as Dr. Mark Sloan, a.k.a. McSteamy, inGrey's Anatomy.
The showpaid tribute to him by airing a 60-second montageat the conclusion of the Feb. 26 episode.
When asked if she wanted to share anything about Dane, Rhimes toldETthat he "was an incredible human being, and I still say is because it's very hard for me to believe he's gone."
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"He was an incredible human being and he was a huge loss for us," she continued. "He was a huge loss for the Shondaland family, for theGrey's Anatomyfamily, and honestly, the people that he knew, he was just a wonderful, wonderful, giving guy that I don't know that everybody understands how amazing he was."
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