Eric Dane, the actor best known for his role in Grey's Anatomy, has delivered an inspiring update on his career and health following his diagnosis with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
Defying limits: Acting with a new purpose
The 53-year-old actor, who publicly revealed his diagnosis in April 2025, has been open about the progressive loss of function on the right side of his body. Despite this, he has continued to work, recently filming for the new season of Euphoria and taking on a poignant role in an episode of NBC's Brilliant Minds.
During a virtual panel held on Tuesday with the advocacy group I AM ALS, Dane stated his determination to keep working for as long as he is able. "I'm fairly limited in what I can do physically as an actor, but I still have my brain, and I still have my speech, so I'm willing to do just about anything. I'll take on any role," he explained.
A cathartic on-screen portrayal
In his November appearance on Brilliant Minds, Dane played Matthew Ramati, a firefighter grappling with how to tell his family about an ALS diagnosis. This marked his first on-screen role since his own diagnosis. The actor described the experience as "cathartic," though he admitted it was challenging to separate his personal reality from that of his character.
Dane also shared his surprise at his own resilience. "I don't think anybody would blame me if I went upstairs in my bedroom, crawled under the sheets, and spent the next two weeks crying," he said. "And I was a little bit pleasantly surprised when I realized that I wasn't built like that."
A mission to inspire and advocate
The father of two emphasised that his life now has a renewed focus. "It's imperative that I share my journey with as many people as I can because I don't feel like my life is about me anymore," Dane told the panel. He acknowledged that his future roles will likely be "ALS-centric," a reality he has accepted with gratitude for the continued opportunity to work.
His advocacy extends beyond the screen. After being forced to miss the Emmy Awards in September, Dane announced a partnership with I AM ALS to raise crucial funds for research into the disease, which currently has no cure. ALS progressively destroys nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to paralysis.
Eric Dane's message is one of defiant hope and urgent action, using his platform to accelerate the search for a cure while continuing his life's work in a profoundly personal new context.
