'Grey's Anatomy' character Mark Sloan obituary

Published on October 4, 2012 01:00PM EDT

Eric Dane — Photo: Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic

Last Thursday was a mournful television evening because it's when Mark Sloan, a.k.a. McSteamy, was pulled off life support and died during the dramatic season 9 premiere of Grey's Anatomy. In tonight's new episode, "Remember the Time," viewers will learn how Sloan went from alive in last May's season finale to dead just a week ago.

As a eulogy to the late McSteamy—and an exclusive to EW—Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes penned an obituary for Sloan, who she calls "one of my all-time favorite characters to write." (Rhimes is pictured here with Eric Dane, who played Mark Sloan on Grey's.) You can read Rhimes' full obituary in the Oct. 12 issue of Entertainment Weekly—on stands now—but take a gander at an excerpt of it here now:

Last week, Mark Sloan succumbed to injuries sustained in the plane crash that took the life of fellow surgeon Alexandra Caroline Grey. By the time he died, he was no longer just a hot naked guy in a towel. He'd become more than McSteamy. Mark had grown to become a mentor, a true best friend, a father, and the love of Lexie Grey's life.

After six seasons, the end of Mark Sloan was a great loss for me as a writer and for the show. And for the fans. I like to believe that Mark is with Lexie somewhere. That those two characters are spending eternity together, getting to have the relationship they were never able to have when they were alive. Because, as Lexie's dying words told us, she and Mark were "meant to be."

Mark Everett Sloan died on September 27, 2012. He is survived by his daughter Sofia; his baby mamas, Callie and Arizona; his fellow doctors at Seattle Grace; and every woman who ever imagined what it might be like to have a little McSteamy between her sheets.

He will be missed by all.

For Rhimes' full obituary, pick up the Oct. 12 issue of Entertainment Weekly, on stands now.

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'Grey's Anatomy' character Mark Sloan obituary

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