Actor Eric Dane, best known for his roles in Grey's Anatomy and Euphoria, has disclosed that he is living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a progressive and incurable disease that is already limiting his movement and speech.
Over a period of time, his symptoms have worsened as he lost use of his right arm and reports slowed speech. Far from retreating, he is converting his battle into advocacy to accelerate ALS research and policymaking.
Public Disclosure in 2025
Dane, 52, went public with his diagnosis in April 2025, telling People that symptoms had first surfaced months earlier. He described the initial signs as weakness in his hand, which he had initially dismissed as fatigue.
By mid-year, the actor said his condition had worsened, and he revealed in a Good Morning America interview that he had lost function in his right arm and feared his left side would soon follow.
He also acknowledged that his speech had slowed, a symptom consistent with ALS's effects on muscles controlled by nerve signals. In one video message shared, Dane introduced himself: 'I am Eric Dane. An actor, a father, and now a person living with ALS ... we need the fastest path to a cure.'
Turning Diagnosis Into Advocacy
Rather than retreating from public life, Dane has stepped into advocacy. In partnership with the nonprofit I AM ALS, he launched the 'Push for Progress' campaign, a three-year initiative seeking to raise $1 billion for research, patient access to treatments, and the reauthorisation of federal legislation known as the ACT for ALS.
Reports in The Guardian note that Dane has travelled to Washington, D.C., where he has met with members of Congress to urge continued investment in research. In interviews, he has said he aims to ensure ALS receives the level of attention and funding needed to accelerate drug development and improve the quality of life for those affected.
Family and Personal Life
Dane is married to actress Rebecca Gayheart, with whom he shares two daughters, Billie and Georgia. Gayheart told the family that they are 'taking it day by day,' leaning on therapy and emotional support while adjusting to new challenges at home.
Despite the diagnosis, Dane has stated that he intends to continue working in entertainment for as long as his health permits. He remains attached to projects but acknowledges that production schedules may need to adapt as his condition progresses.
Understanding ALS
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease or motor neurone disease, is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder that progressively destroys motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. As the disease progresses, patients lose the ability to control their movement, speech, swallowing, and eventually, breathing.
The average life expectancy after diagnosis is between two and five years, although some patients live longer. Current treatments can slow progression but cannot stop or reverse the disease.
Why Dane's Disclosure Matters
Few actors of Dane's stature have spoken so openly about receiving an ALS diagnosis. His decision to make the condition public, paired with high-profile advocacy, has drawn international attention to a disease that often struggles to gain visibility in the broader conversation about medical research.
As Dane put it in his remarks: 'I will fight until my last breath.' His resolve may help bring momentum to the scientific, political and philanthropic efforts aimed at finding new therapies for ALS.
