Eric Dane, star of 'Grey's Anatomy,' does not place blame on the show for letting him go due to addiction.

Eric Dane, a former star of "Grey's Anatomy," shared how he copes with tough times without relying on substances after becoming sober.

In an interview with Planet Chronicle Digital, the 58-year-old actor, who stars in the new movie "One Fast Move," discussed his approach to overcoming difficulties after struggling with addiction.

"Sometimes you just hang on and accept that difficult times are temporary," Dane said. "I never expected life to be easy, regardless of circumstances."

Understanding that not everything will be easy has prepared me to handle tough times.

"They arrive swiftly and intensely, often leaving you with no choice but to cling on and hope it will pass," Dane stated. "Now, I refrain from using substances and alcohol to cope with any situation, whether positive or negative."

"When things aren't great, I don't pick up something that's not celebratory, and the only way out is through."

Eric Dane, a former Grey's Anatomy star, discusses his approach to overcoming challenges after becoming sober.

On Dax Shepard's "Armchair Expert" podcast in June, Dane revealed the true reason for his departure from "Grey's Anatomy." He portrayed the popular plastic surgeon Dr. Mark "McSteamy" Sloan on the successful ABC series.

Dane revealed to Shepard that he had been sober for three or four years when he booked the series starring Patrick Dempsey and Ellen Pompeo.

"He explained that he was aware of the difference between reality and what wasn't, and he was able to understand and manage it. He could conceptualize it, keep it in its place, and enjoy it while occasionally dipping in and returning."

In season three, Dane became a regular on the show following the success of his character's towel scene in the previous season.

"He admitted that he didn't handle the net-net well because he was f---ed up longer than he was sober during the eight years of Grey's Anatomy. This was when things started going sideways for him."

Shepard was informed by Dane that he struggled with relapse during his time on the show while attempting to cope with the pressure of portraying a beloved character on television.

"I found it overwhelming, and I think I just wanted to pretend that it wasn't and that I was comfortable with it. Act like you've been there, but you haven't been there," he said. "It's very hard to sort of digest," he said of the fame.

In the second episode of season nine, which aired in October 2012, his character was killed off. Dane revealed in an interview with Entertainment Weekly in 2013 that his departure from the show was allowing him to pursue other opportunities.

Dane confessed to Shepard that he had been "terminated" from the show.

Dane, who checked into rehab in 2011 for a painkiller addiction, said, "I didn't leave as much as I think I was let go. I was struggling. They didn't let me go because of that, although it definitely didn't help."

"As actors who have spent considerable time on a show, they become expensive for the network. However, the network knows that the show will still be successful regardless of who they keep on it, as long as they have their "Grey.""

"I wasn't the same person they had hired, so I understood when I was let go. And Shonda Rhimes was truly exceptional. She fiercely protected us both publicly and privately."

In his interview with Planet Chronicle Digital, Dane explained why he felt he was not the same person that Rhimes and the show's producers hired.

Eric Dane, a former Grey's Anatomy star, did not blame the show for dropping him while he struggled with addiction.

The actor admitted that he was grappling with personal issues, which manifested externally.

""As a result, that's why I said I wasn't the same person they hired," he explained."

"Dane clarified that he did not hold a grudge against them for letting him go. He acknowledged their decision and understood their reasoning. He expressed gratitude for the nine, eight, nine years he spent with them and for their tolerance of some of his antics. He also thanked them for appreciating the contributions he made to the show."

"Yesterday, I was with Justin Chambers, and I have nothing but love for all of those people."

In 2021, Dane returned to his role for the first time in nine years by appearing in a dream sequence in one episode of the show's 17th season.

In a recent interview with People magazine, Dane confessed that although he has only watched a "handful" of "Grey's Anatomy" episodes since leaving the show, his daughters "have seen all of them." The actor is the father of daughters Beatrice, 14, and Georgia, 12, with ex-wife Rebecca Gayheart.

Dane shared with Planet Chronicle Digital how Beatrice and Georgia responded to his "McSteamy" nickname.

He stated that they are old enough to comprehend the meaning of the references and also old enough to consider it cheesy or campy.

"Dane remembered, "They said, 'Wow, Dad,' and I replied, 'Couldn't have come up with anything better?' I responded, 'Honey, that's it. It works, babe.' At the time, it was effective and successful for a long period.""

Dane is currently starring in the new action film "One Fast Move" alongside KJ Apa, Maia Reficco, Edward James Olmos, and Austin North. The movie, directed and written by Kelly Blatz, follows a young man (Apa) who seeks out his estranged father (Dane) to pursue his dream of becoming a professional motorcycle racer.

"He starts to break down the walls his father's absence had created with the help of his love interest and a motorcycle shop owner."

In "One Fast Move," Dane revealed how he prepared to depict a skilled motorcycle racer in his interview with Planet Chronicle Digital.

"Before shooting this picture, I had already learned how to ride a bike."

"He was quite skilled on the motorcycle."

Despite having some prior experience with motorcycle riding, Dane revealed to Planet Chronicle Digital that he did not provide any tips to his co-star.

""Be careful, take it easy, and go slow, young buck," he said, acknowledging that he may not be qualified to give advice."

Eric Dane discusses his new action film 'One Fast Move': "It's a beautiful story."

The native of California also shared his thoughts on the message he hopes viewers will understand from the film.

"Dane remarked, "Although it doesn't fit the typical feel-good movie mold, I believe that by the end of the film, viewers will feel a sense of healing between two individuals who were lost and misguided, and largely misunderstood.""

He continued, "They discover each other and experience what they experience in order to mend their circumstances, and in the end, they realize that they are truly free."

"They discover each other, mend each other, and then realize they don't require one another. That's what I'm implying, right?" Dane remarked.

"It's kind of a beautiful story."

"One Fast Move" debuted in theaters on Aug. 8.

Planet Chronicle Digital's Caroline Thayer contributed to this report.