Eric Dane has shared a sobering update on his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. In his first television interview since revealing his diagnosis, the 52-year-old actor told “Good Morning America” that his right arm and hand have “completely stopped working.”
Dane recalled the initial symptoms that led to his diagnosis about a year and a half ago. “I started experiencing some weakness in my right hand,” he said. “I didn’t really think anything of it at the time. I thought maybe I had been texting too much or my hand was fatigued.” After consulting multiple specialists, he was eventually diagnosed with ALS.
ALS progressively affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness and loss of mobility. There is currently no known cure. Dane expressed concern about the future, saying, “I feel like maybe a couple, few more months, and I won’t have my left hand [functioning] either,” and described the eventual loss of leg mobility as “sobering.”
Despite the challenges, Dane remains focused on his family and career. He shares two teenage daughters with actress Rebecca Gayheart, whom he married in 2004. “I talk to her every day,” Dane said of Gayheart. “She is … probably my biggest champion and my most stalwart supporter.” He added, “All I want to do is spend time with my family and work a little bit if I can.”
Dane rose to fame as Dr. Mark “McSteamy” Sloan on “Grey’s Anatomy” from 2006 to 2012 and currently plays Cal Jacobs on HBO’s “Euphoria.” He remains hopeful, stating, “I don’t think this is the end of my story. I just don’t feel like, in my heart, I don’t feel like this is the end of me.”
