This kind of news is gut-wrenching. It seems like only yesterday Eric Dane made fans of Grey’s Anatomy swoon as “McSteamy” and captivated the audience of Euphoria with his intensity, and now he’s in a wheelchair and having trouble speaking. His friends and family are saying that the decline of his health has been unexpected, swift, and heartbreaking to watch.
From “McSteamy” to a Tough Diagnosis
We found out that Eric has ALS in April of 2025, when he did an exclusive article with People magazine, revealing his diagnosis. When speaking to People, Eric mainly focused on staying strong, figuring out how to navigate this next chapter of his life, and being grateful for the support of his family.
He was also appreciative of the fact that he was still able to work and was looking forward to returning to the set of Euphoria at the time. But he knew what was coming and that it wouldn’t last long. Only months after he shared his diagnosis with the world, he admitted that he’s losing control of his body. His right side has completely stopped working, and he only has one functioning arm on his left, dominant side.
ALS is a devastating degenerative disease that has no cure. It causes progressive paralysis of the muscles. The first signs of ALS are usually weakness and twitching in a limb, and then it progresses to slurred speech. Unfortunately, the progress of the disease is very quick and eventually the patients lose their ability to walk, eat, speak, and breathe independently. In most cases, people live up to five years after the diagnosis.
However, some people beat the odds. Stephen Hawking was diagnosed when he was only 21, and the doctors gave him only 2 years to live, yet he went on to do great things and lived another 55 years.
A Shadowed Path: When Simple Things Get Hard
Nowadays the situation has gotten more difficult for Eric. He was recently spotted outside of an airport being pushed in a wheelchair. A photographer asked him whether he has anything to say to his fans who are rooting for him, and Eric replied with a short “keep the faith, man” in a strained voice—but it was clear he was struggling to speak.
Sources close to Eric are saying that he’s determined to fight this disease, but it’s getting harder. Yet he’s putting on a brave face and trying to live in the moment. He doesn’t want people to grieve him while he’s still here—he’s focusing on love and positivity.
A Fall, a Hospital Stay, and the Emmys He Missed
Dane had a scary setback in October that landed him in the hospital instead of at the Emmys. He was supposed to make an appearance at the awards with Grey’s Anatomy co-star Jesse Williams, but he fell in his kitchen and hit his head pretty hard. So instead of basking in the glamour of the Emmys, Eric ended up in the hospital, getting stitches on his head.
That must’ve been a harsh day for Eric, and a nasty reminder that ALS doesn’t stop for anything—even if you’re a Hollywood star.
Family, Faith, and Finding Strength
Throughout this tough journey, Eric’s biggest source of joy and support has been his family. His estranged wife and he have decided not to go along with their divorce and instead focus on their kids. Dane has two daughters (Billie and Georgia), and they’re his biggest inspiration to keep fighting ALS. He wants to see his girls grow up.
His wife Rebecca has opened up that while it’s hard and Eric’s ALS is taking its toll on everyone in their family, they’re choosing to stick together and take it one day at a time.
Eric’s also doing his best to raise not only awareness of ALS but also funds for research and clinical trials. He is advocating for better treatment options and hoping to find a cure for ALS.
Why This Hits So Hard
Eric Dane is known for being strong, charming, charismatic, and confident, so seeing him slowly lose all of that because of a disease is devastating. It reminds us of the fragility of life and that no amount of fame or money makes you immune to sudden and unexpected turns in life.
ALS is brutal in the way it takes your independence from you—it forces you to rely on others and reminds us that your closest friends and family are really the most important things in life. But Eric’s bravery in the face of ALS is incredibly humbling to watch. He’s staying positive, he’s advocating for himself and others with ALS, he’s still cracking jokes and trying to live to the fullest.
It’s tragic, yes—but it’s also human. And if Eric Dane can keep the faith, maybe the rest of us can too.
