Is Eric Dane's character on Grey's Anatomy, Dr. Mark Sloan, a tribute to another famous TV doctor from not so long ago?

No, it's not, according to ABC. Just a funny coincidence. But Dr. Mark Sloan was also the name of Dick Van Dyke's character on Diagnosis: Murder, the popular CBS series that ran from 1993-2001. Just for fun, here's a Mark Sloan/Mark Sloan comparison:

Funny. No offense to Dick, a fine actor and all-around good guy (one who looks pretty good for 80, no less), but we'll take the younger, McSteamy Mark Sloan, thank you very much!

Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.