Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria star Eric Dane reveals he’s been diagnosed with ALS
GREY’S Anatomy and Euphoria star Eric Dane has been diagnosed with ALS.
Eric, 52, has revealed that he has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
The actor, who had a recurring role as Jason Dean in Charmed, and played Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy, has shared his diagnosis and opened up about how he will “navigate” the next chapter.
Speaking exclusively to People, Eric said: “I have been diagnosed with ALS.
“I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is a nervous system disease.
The health provider states that ALS “affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord” and “causes loss of muscle control”.
The disease gets worse over time.
Speaking about continuing to work despite his diagnosis, Eric revealed that he will be returning to the set of Euphoria next week.
In the hit show Euphoria, Eric plays the role of Cal Jacobs, father of Jacob Elordi’s Nate Jacobs.
HEADING BACK TO WORK
Speaking to the outlet about returning to work despite his diagnosis, Eric said: “I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to set of Euphoria next week.
“I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time.”
Filming for season three of the hit HBO series will begin on April 14.
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, “often begins with muscle twitching and weakness in an arm or leg, trouble swallowing or slurred speech,” Mayo Clinic states.
The clinic also states that eventually ALS affects control of the muscles needed to move, speak, eat and breathe.
Why is it called Lou Gehrig's disease?
ALS is also known as MND, Charcot disease and Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Henry Louis “Lou” Gehrig was born in the US in 1903, and was a successful baseball player.
He held many records in his day, including the most career grand slams, 23, broken in 2013, and the most consecutive games played, 2,130 which stood for 56 years.
Nicknamed The Iron Horse, he had a stellar career but his performance nosedived, and he was diagnosed with ALS on his 36th birthday in June 1939.
Two days after his diagnosis, he retired from the sport and his condition was made public.
Just two years later, on June 2 1941, Gehrig passed away.
Due to his fame, ALS is commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease in North America.
There is no cure for this fatal disease.
Eric, who will now navigate the disease, is married to Rebecca Gayheart.
The couple share two children, Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13.
DIVORCE FROM WIFE DISMISSED
The U.S. Sun exclusively revealed in March that Eric and Rebecca called off their divorce after the pair initially filed papers in February 2018.
Rebecca, 53, filed the initial petition for dissolution of marriage.
The pair got wed in 2004.
At the time of filming for divorce, Rebecca cited “irreconcilable differences”.
But despite filing for divorce in 2018, the case dragged on for years.
Continuing in 2025, both Eric and Rebecca were ordered to attend a family-centered case resolution hearing set for March 10.
A recent filing stated they must attend the hearing, or they must file a divorce judgment, or dismissal.
On March 6, Rebecca and Eric filed a dismissal of their divorce petition, with them both signing to dismiss it.