Eric Dane, the actor famed for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan on 'Grey's Anatomy', now requires round-the-clock nursing care following his diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The stark update comes from his estranged wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart, who has detailed their family's difficult journey and her determined battle with insurance providers to secure the vital support.
A Familial Bond Amidst Health Crisis
In a candid first-person essay for The Cut, Gayheart revealed the current state of care for the 53-year-old actor. "Eric has 24/7 nurses now," she wrote, explaining that the week is divided into 21 separate shifts. When coverage gaps occur, Gayheart herself steps in to fill them.
The path to securing this essential care was fraught with bureaucratic obstacles. Gayheart recounted a confrontational exchange with a representative from the insurance company, who told her, "You can keep applying, and I'll keep denying." Her response was one of fierce determination. "I made it my mission. I was 'locked in,' as the kids would say... And we got it approved after two appeals," she shared.
Navigating a Complicated Relationship
Dane and Gayheart, who married in 2004 and share two daughters, have been separated since 2018. Gayheart initially filed for divorce that year but dismissed the petition in March 2025 to keep their family united in the face of Dane's aggressive health diagnosis.
Reflecting on their unique dynamic, Gayheart described it as "very complicated" and confusing for outsiders. "We haven't lived in the same home for eight years; he's dated other people, I've dated someone," she explained. "Our love may not be romantic, but it's a familial love." She believes the experience has shown their children a softer side of their relationship, focusing on maturity and what is truly important.
Dane's Determination to Continue Acting
Despite the progressive nature of ALS, a neurodegenerative disorder with no cure, Eric Dane has expressed a strong desire to continue his acting career for as long as possible. Speaking during a virtual panel with the I AM ALS organisation earlier this month, he acknowledged his physical limitations but emphasised his remaining strengths.
"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," Dane stated. He conceded that his future roles will likely be "ALS-centric," a reality he has accepted with gratitude for the opportunity to work in any capacity.
This resolve was recently demonstrated when Dane appeared on the television series 'Brilliant Minds' in November 2025, portraying a firefighter with ALS. It marked his first on-screen role since publicly sharing his diagnosis in April of that year.
