Eric Dane, known for his role in Grey’s Anatomy, has recently opened up about his ALS diagnosis, and his wife Rebecca Gayheart has shared the emotional impact it has had on their family.
Earlier this year, in April, Dane made public his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive condition affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, which inevitably worsens over time, as explained by the Mayo Clinic.
“I have been diagnosed with ALS. I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter,” Dane expressed to People.
ALS is known to gradually impair muscle control, beginning with minor symptoms such as twitching, limb weakness, or challenges in swallowing or speaking. Over time, it impacts vital muscles necessary for movement, speech, eating, and breathing.
The disease, unfortunately, is incurable and usually proves fatal within three to five years post-diagnosis, according to information from the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
As reported by the Mirror, Rebecca Gayheart shared her experience at Step Up’s 2025 Inspiration Awards about how she and their daughters, 15-year-old Billie and 13-year-old Georgia, are ‘trying to get through it’ and adapting to the ‘new normal’ their family faces.
Rebecca explained: “We have some professional therapists who are helping us, and we’re just trying to have some hope and do it with dignity, grace and love. I mean, it’s heartbreaking. My girls are really suffering, and we’re just trying to get through it. It’s a tough time.”
In June, Dane appeared on Good Morning America to discuss the initial symptoms that raised concerns about his health.
“I started experiencing some weakness in my right hand and I didn’t really think anything of it at the time,” he recalled.
The actor, now 52, added: “I thought maybe I had been texting too much or my hand was fatigued.
“But a few weeks later I noticed it had gotten a little worse so I went and saw a hand specialist and he sent me to another hand specialist.
“I went and saw a neurologist and they sent me to another neurologist and said this is way above [his] pay grade.”
Reflecting on the progression of the disease since the onset of symptoms, Dane shared: “I have one functioning arm, my dominant side is [my right], my left side is functioning, my right side has completely stopped working.
“My left arm is going, I feel like a couple few more months and I won’t have my left either, it is sobering.”