Politics
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Star Announces Tragic Health Update
Actor Eric Dane, best known for his role as “Dr. McSteamy” on Grey’s Anatomy and his recent work on Euphoria, has revealed in an emotional ABC News interview with Diane Sawyer that he has been diagnosed with ALS, a degenerative and incurable neurological disease.
Dane, 52, sat down with Sawyer for his first televised interview since sharing the diagnosis with the public. The conversation, both raw and revealing, painted a picture of a man grappling with the realities of his condition but refusing to give in to despair.
“I started experiencing some weakness in my right hand,” Dane recalled. “At the time, I thought maybe I’d been texting too much or my hand was fatigued, but a few weeks later, I noticed that it had gotten a little worse.”
After months of seeing specialists and undergoing tests, Dane was finally given the diagnosis: ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
“I will never forget those three letters,” he said. “It’s on me the second I wake up.” When Sawyer asked, “It’s not a dream?” he replied solemnly, “It’s not a dream.”
ALS progressively attacks the nervous system, weakening muscles and eventually leading to complete paralysis while the mind remains intact. Dane has already lost function in one arm, with the other now showing signs of decline.
Eric Dane at the TNT 25th Anniversary Party, Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA 07-24-13
“My right side is completely, completely stopped working,” he shared. “And then your left arm is fine? No, it’s going. Yeah, I feel like maybe a couple few more months and I won’t have my left hand either.”
Despite still being able to walk, Dane admitted he’s now worried about his legs, too. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m worried about my legs,” he said.
The disease has also affected his life as a father. Dane recounted a recent moment that hit particularly hard — a boat trip with his youngest daughter.
“When I jumped into the ocean that day and realized I couldn’t swim and generate enough power to get myself back to the boat, I thought, oh God,” he said. “And then I realized in that moment I’m not safe in the water anymore.” His daughter had to rescue him. “You dragged me back to the boat,” he said, choking up. “I was, like, breaking down in tears.”
LOS ANGELES – JUN 3: Rebecca Gayheart, Eric Dane at the 16th Annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball at the Private Estate on June 3, 2017 in Los Angeles, CA
Through it all, Dane has leaned on his ex-wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart, with whom he shares two daughters, now 13 and 15. “I call Rebecca. I talk to her every day,” he said. “We have managed to become better friends and better parents. And she is probably my biggest champion and my most stalwart supporter. And I lean on her.”
While discussing his past and the pain of losing his father to suicide at just 7 years old, Dane reflected on how the trauma still lingers. “I’m angry because my father was taken from me when I was young, and now there’s a very good chance I’m going to be taken from my girls while they’re very young.”
But through it all, Dane remains determined to fight. “I don’t think this is the end of my story,” he said. “In my heart, I don’t feel like this is the end of me. I’m fighting as much as I can.”
When asked what matters most now, Dane’s answer was simple: “Just all I wanna do is spend time with my family and work a little bit if I can… and make sure that you tell them that you love them.”
“Every day,” he added. “They’re loved. They know it.”
