‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Actors Who Passed Away in Real Life

Since its premiere in 2005, the hit medical drama ‘Grey’s Anatomy‘ has captivated audiences with high-stakes hospital emergencies, complex romances, and an ever-evolving rotation of surgical staff and patients. Across more than two decades on television, the flagship ABC series has welcomed a remarkable ensemble of series regulars, recurring figures, and guest stars who brought depth to the halls of Seattle Grace and Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

While viewers have mourned the fictional departures of fan-favorite surgeons on screen, several performers who graced the series have also passed away in real life. From core cast members who helped define the identity of the show to iconic Hollywood veterans who delivered memorable guest appearances, their artistry remains an essential part of television history.

Eric Dane

Eric Dane gained widespread acclaim for portraying Dr. Mark Sloan, the charismatic plastic surgeon nicknamed McSteamy, beginning in the second season of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. He remained a central member of the core ensemble through the show’s ninth season and later reprised his role in a guest appearance during season seventeen. Beyond his work in the medical drama, Dane achieved critical recognition for starring roles in television series such as ‘The Last Ship’ and ‘Euphoria’. In 2025, he publicly disclosed his diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, dedicating his final months to raising funds and awareness for neurodegenerative research. Dane passed away on February 19, 2026, at the age of 53 due to complications from the illness.

Edward Herrmann

Edward Herrmann joined ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ during its fourth season for a memorable multi-episode arc as Dr. Norman Shales. His character, a former pharmacist who embarked on a second career in medicine, provided heartwarming moments as the hospital’s oldest surgical intern. The Emmy-winning actor was already a revered screen veteran best known for portraying patriarch Richard Gilmore on the long-running series ‘Gilmore Girls’. Herrmann enjoyed an illustrious five-decade career on stage and screen, earning a Tony Award and notable film credits including ‘The Lost Boys’ and ‘Overboard’. He died on December 31, 2014, at the age of 71 following a battle with brain cancer.

Diahann Carroll

Pioneering actress and singer Diahann Carroll guest-starred in seasons three and four of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ as Jane Burke, the formidable mother of Dr. Preston Burke. Her commanding performance on the medical drama earned her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series. Carroll had previously made television history in 1968 by starring in ‘Julia’, becoming the first African American woman to star in her own primetime series in a non-stereotypical role. Over a storied career spanning six decades, she earned a Tony Award for ‘No Strings’ and an Academy Award nomination for ‘Claudine’. Carroll passed away at her home in Los Angeles on October 4, 2019, at the age of 84 after living with breast cancer.

Doris Roberts

Doris Roberts made a guest appearance in the seventh season of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ as Gladys Pulcher. Her character was a stubborn, sharp-tongued patient whose interactions tested the patience and diagnostic skills of the hospital staff. Roberts was celebrated worldwide for her iconic role as Marie Barone on the hit sitcom ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’, which earned her four Primetime Emmy Awards. Her distinguished career spanned more than six decades across Broadway stages, classic television programs, and feature films. She died in Los Angeles on April 17, 2016, at the age of 90 following a stroke.

Fred Ward

Fred Ward appeared in the third season of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ in the role of Denny Duquette, Sr.. His character, the estranged father of Denny Duquette, Jr., arrives at Seattle Grace Hospital to confront Izzie Stevens following his son’s tragic death. Ward built a renowned Hollywood career defined by rugged, grounded performances in landmark films such as ‘The Right Stuff’, ‘Escape from Alcatraz’, and ‘Tremors’. His extensive television resume included roles on acclaimed series such as ‘ER’, ‘United States of Tara’, and ‘True Detective’. The veteran actor passed away on May 8, 2022, at the age of 79.

Hal Holbrook

Oscar-nominated actor Hal Holbrook appeared in the thirteenth season of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ as Dr. Lewis Clatch. His character was an elderly retired thoracic surgeon devastated by the worsening medical condition of his beloved wife. Holbrook was an esteemed fixture of American theater and cinema, famously performing his Tony-winning solo show ‘Mark Twain Tonight!’ for more than sixty years. His acclaimed film roles included playing Deep Throat in ‘All the President’s Men’ and Ron Franz in ‘Into the Wild’, which earned him an Academy Award nomination. Holbrook passed away on January 23, 2021, at the age of 95 at his home in Beverly Hills.

Roger Rees

Roger Rees appeared in a three-episode guest arc during the third season of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. He portrayed Dr. Colin Marlow, an internationally renowned cardiothoracic surgeon and former professor who shared a past romantic relationship with Cristina Yang. The Welsh-American performer was an accomplished stage actor who won both an Olivier Award and a Tony Award for ‘The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby’. Television audiences also recognized him for his recurring roles as Robin Colcord on ‘Cheers’ and British Ambassador Lord John Marbury on ‘The West Wing’. Rees died of brain cancer on July 10, 2015, at the age of 71 at his home in New York.

Jack Axelrod

Jack Axelrod made several memorable appearances during the third and fourth seasons of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. He portrayed Charlie Yost, a long-term comatose patient nicknamed Really Old Guy, who unexpectedly awakens and offers life advice to Izzie Stevens before passing away. Axelrod was an established character actor whose work spanned theater, film, and television over several decades. Viewers frequently recognized him for his roles as mob boss Victor Jerome on ‘General Hospital’ and the Electrolarynx Guy on ‘My Name Is Earl’. Axelrod passed away from natural causes on November 28, 2023, in Los Angeles at the age of 93.

Patti Yasutake

Patti Yasutake guest-starred in the second season of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ as Elaine Verma. Her character was a worried mother who visits the hospital while her daughter receives care from Dr. Derek Shepherd. Science fiction fans celebrated Yasutake for her longtime recurring role as Nurse Alyssa Ogawa across multiple television seasons and feature films in the ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ franchise. She earned critical acclaim later in her career for her supporting turn as Fumi Nakai in the Netflix comedy-drama series ‘Beef’. Yasutake passed away on August 5, 2024, at the age of 70 following a battle with cancer.

Richard Roundtree

Richard Roundtree appeared in the third season of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ as Donald Burke. His character, the father of Dr. Preston Burke, visits the hospital alongside his wife to meet Cristina Yang under unexpected circumstances. Roundtree achieved cinema immortality in 1971 when he starred as the titular private investigator in ‘Shaft’, a role often credited with creating the modern Black action hero. Throughout a prolific five-decade career, he maintained an active screen presence with television roles in ‘Roots’, ‘Desperate Housewives’, ‘Heroes’, and ‘Being Mary Jane’. Roundtree passed away from pancreatic cancer on October 24, 2023, at the age of 81.

Ralph Waite

Ralph Waite appeared on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ during the show’s sixth season as Irving Waller. He played an 82-year-old patient who seeks a surgical implant from Dr. Mark Sloan to rekindle romance in his later years. Waite was beloved worldwide for portraying the compassionate family patriarch John Walton, Sr. on the landmark drama series ‘The Waltons’. In his later years, he remained a prominent television fixture through recurring roles on ‘NCIS’, ‘Bones’, and ‘Days of Our Lives’. Waite passed away at his home in California on February 13, 2014, at the age of 85.

Mike Hagerty

Character actor Mike Hagerty guest-starred on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ in the ninth season as Al Keller. He portrayed a patient involved in a surgical case that prompts a deeper investigation within the hospital. Hagerty was widely recognized for his recurring turn as the gruff yet warm building superintendent Mr. Treeger on the iconic sitcom ‘Friends’. Over his extensive career, he appeared on numerous television programs including ‘Seinfeld’, ‘Lucky Louie’, ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’, and ‘Somebody Somewhere’. Hagerty died on April 29, 2022, at the age of 67 following an adverse reaction to medication.

Glenne Headly

Glenne Headly appeared in the fourth season of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ as Elizabeth Archer. She played a surgical patient whose complicated condition requires intervention from the hospital’s attending physicians. Headly rose to prominence through Chicago’s renowned Steppenwolf Theatre Company before making an impression in films such as ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’ and ‘Dick Tracy’. She earned two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for her roles in the television miniseries ‘Lonesome Dove’ and ‘Bastard Out of Carolina’. Headly died on June 8, 2017, at the age of 62 due to complications resulting from a pulmonary embolism.

Betty Garrett

Betty Garrett made an appearance in the second season of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ as Eleanor. She played one of three devoted elderly friends who gather vigilantly at Seattle Grace Hospital to support their dying companion. Garrett began her career as a musical comedy star at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, appearing in classic cinematic musicals such as ‘On the Town’ and ‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game’. She later gained enduring sitcom fame for her recurring roles as Irene Lorenzo on ‘All in the Family’ and Edna Babish on ‘Laverne & Shirley’. Garrett died on February 12, 2011, at the age of 91 from an aortic aneurysm.

George Coe

George Coe appeared on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ in the fifth season as Ed Bullard. He played a devoted husband advocating for his critically ill wife who faces complex neurosurgery. Coe was an original cast member of ‘Saturday Night Live’, appearing in the sketch show’s inaugural broadcast in 1975. He also earned an Academy Award nomination for co-directing and starring in the 1968 short film ‘The Dove’ and voiced the loyal butler Woodhouse on the animated series ‘Archer’. Coe passed away on July 18, 2015, at the age of 86 after a prolonged illness.

Lou Cutell

Veteran character actor Lou Cutell made his final on-screen acting appearance in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ during season twelve. In the medical drama, he portrayed Abraham, an elderly patient treated by the surgical team. Cutell had a prolific career that stretched across more than five decades in theater, television, and film. Audiences remembered him fondly for his role as Amazing Larry in ‘Pee-wee’s Big Adventure’ and as proctologist Dr. Cooperman on ‘Seinfeld’. Cutell passed away on November 21, 2021, at the age of 91.

Ann Morgan Guilbert

Ann Morgan Guilbert appeared alongside Lou Cutell in the twelfth season of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. She played Gabby Margraff, an elderly patient whose lively presence brought humor and heart to the hospital wards. Guilbert first achieved national recognition in the 1960s as Millie Helper, the cheerful neighbor on ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show’. A new generation of television viewers fell in love with her work as the spirited Grandma Yetta on the 1990s sitcom ‘The Nanny’. Guilbert died of cancer in Los Angeles on June 14, 2016, at the age of 87.

Kathryn Joosten

Emmy-winning character actress Kathryn Joosten guest-starred in the first season of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. She played Stephanie Drake, a patient whose storyline reflected real-life health struggles related to smoking cessation. Joosten broke into screen acting in her fifties, quickly becoming a beloved television presence as secretary Dolores Landingham on ‘The West Wing’. She subsequently won two Primetime Emmy Awards for her standout performance as the nosy neighbor Karen McCluskey on ‘Desperate Housewives’. Joosten passed away on June 2, 2012, at the age of 72 following a courageous battle with lung cancer.

Frances Bay

Canadian actress Frances Bay made a guest appearance in the fifth season of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. She played Aunt Joyce, a patient receiving specialized care during one of the series’ most pivotal relationship episodes. Bay was famous for playing sweet yet feisty elderly figures, most notably Happy’s grandmother in the 1996 comedy film ‘Happy Gilmore’. She also made an indelible impression on pop culture as the woman who fought Jerry over a marble rye bread on ‘Seinfeld’. Bay passed away on September 15, 2011, at the age of 92 due to complications from pneumonia.

Carole Cook

Carole Cook appeared on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ during the show’s second season as Sophie Larson. Her character is an elderly patient who stubbornly refuses to be discharged from Seattle Grace to a nursing home. A protégé of television icon Lucille Ball, Cook was a vibrant performer who appeared in popular films such as ‘The Incredible Mr. Limpet’ and ‘Sixteen Candles’. She also enjoyed an extraordinary career on Broadway, originating the role of Maggie Jones in the hit musical ’42nd Street’. Cook died of heart failure on January 11, 2023, just three days before what would have been her ninety-ninth birthday.

Shelley Berman

Pioneering comedian and actor Shelley Berman guest-starred in the second season of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ as Jed. His character is a patient dealing with difficult choices regarding his medical treatment and recovery. Berman made history in 1959 when his debut comedy record, ‘Inside Shelley Berman’, became the first spoken-word recording to win a Grammy Award. In addition to a prolific stage and television career, he earned an Emmy nomination in 2008 for playing Larry David’s father, Nat David, on ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’. Berman died on September 1, 2017, at the age of 92 from complications related to Alzheimer’s disease.

James Avery

James Avery appeared in the eighth season of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ as Sam. He played a devoted husband who faces difficult emotional circumstances while supporting his hospitalized wife. Avery was immortalized by millions of television viewers as the booming, authoritative patriarch Philip Banks on the classic sitcom ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’. He was also an acclaimed voice artist, famously providing the voice of the villainous Shredder in the original animated ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ series. Avery passed away on December 31, 2013, at the age of 68 following complications from open-heart surgery.

Angela Paton

Angela Paton guest-starred on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ during the show’s seventh season as Martha Elkin. She portrayed an elderly patient who receives medical evaluation from the hospital’s surgical staff. Paton was widely recognized by movie audiences for her endearing turn as Mrs. Lancaster, the cheerful bed-and-breakfast innkeeper in the comedy classic ‘Groundhog Day’. Throughout a career that began in regional theater, she accumulated dozens of screen credits in projects including ‘Flatliners’, ‘The Wedding Singer’, and ‘American Wedding’. Paton passed away on May 26, 2016, at the age of 86 after suffering a heart attack.

René Auberjonois

René Auberjonois appeared on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ in the eighth season as Neil Sheridan. He played a long-term patient in dire need of a liver transplant whose procedure sparks conflict between Dr. Richard Webber and Dr. Mark Sloan. Auberjonois won a Tony Award early in his career for the musical ‘Coco’ and earned critical acclaim for playing Father Mulcahy in the 1970 film ‘MAS*H’. Television viewers knew him best as the shape-shifting Constable Odo on ‘Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’ and as Paul Lewiston on ‘Boston Legal’. Auberjonois died from metastatic lung cancer on December 8, 2019, at the age of 79.

Reni Santoni

Character actor Reni Santoni guest-starred on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ in the second season as Alan Griswold. He played a patient’s husband whose exasperation with his demanding spouse provided memorable comedic relief in the hospital halls. Santoni was well known for playing Inspector Chico Gonzalez alongside Clint Eastwood in the 1971 action thriller ‘Dirty Harry’. Sitcom enthusiasts also recognized him as the hygiene-challenged pizza restaurant owner Poppie in multiple episodes of ‘Seinfeld’. Santoni passed away on August 1, 2020, at the age of 82 while in hospice care in Los Angeles.

Kimberly Hébert Gregory

Kimberly Hébert Gregory appeared in the eleventh season of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ as Deborah Curzon. She portrayed a patient seeking medical guidance amidst complex surgical decisions and family tensions. Gregory was an accomplished stage actress who earned a Drama Desk Award nomination for her performance in ‘By the Way, Meet Vera Stark’. She broke out into mainstream television prominence with her leading role as Dr. Belinda Brown on the HBO comedy series ‘Vice Principals’. Gregory died unexpectedly on October 3, 2025, at the age of 52.

Lynne Marie Stewart

Lynne Marie Stewart appeared in the pilot episode of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ as a Seattle Grace nurse. Her character assisted the surgical team during the chaotic first shift of the incoming surgical interns. Stewart was widely beloved for originating the colorful character Miss Yvonne on the stage and in the children’s series ‘Pee-wee’s Playhouse’. Later in her career, she found a devoted following playing Charlie Kelly’s eccentric mother, Bonnie, on the long-running comedy ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’. Stewart passed away on February 21, 2025, at the age of 78 following a brief illness.

Please share your favorite memories of these talented performers and their indelible contributions to ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ in the comments.