Eric Dane, known for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey's Anatomy, revealed that his departure from the show was influenced by both his struggles with addiction and financial reasons. Dane admitted on Dax Shepard's Armchair Expert podcast that he was 'let go' rather than leaving voluntarily, citing that his increasing cost to the network played a significant role. Although his addiction issues didn't help, he believes the decision was primarily budgetary, with the network focusing on retaining the central character, Dr. Meredith Grey. Dane praised show creator Shonda Rhimes for her support during his difficult times. Despite his struggles, Dane's character remains beloved, having made a guest appearance in season 17 after his dramatic exit in season nine.