ASL is as a “rare, terminal neurodegenerative disorder that results in the progressive loss of both upper and lower motor neurons that normally control voluntary muscle contraction,” the ASL Association explains, and sadly, actor Eric Dane, aka Dr. McSteamy, has been diagnosed with the condition recently.
Ever since the diagnosis, he has been open about it, sharing glimpses of his everyday life as condition progresses.
Speaking to People, Dane said, “I have been diagnosed with ALS.
“I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next…I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time.”
Though the course of ALS differs from person to person, the disease has taken the lives of many familiar names — among them Bryan Randall, Sandra Bullock’s partner, in 2023, and SpongeBob SquarePants creator Stephen Hillenburg in 2018.
Stephen Hawking, one of the world’s most renowned scientists, lived with ALS for more than five decades, far exceeding typical survival expectations.
Dane revealed that he has lost mobility in his feet as he was spotted using a wheelchair.
The condition prevented him from attending this year’s Emmy awards. “ALS is a nasty disease. So I was in the hospital during the Emmys getting stitches put in my head,” he told Washington Post.
Back in June, Eric Dane opened up about the first ALS symptoms he experienced.
Appearing on Good Morning America, he revealed, “I started experiencing some weakness in my right hand, and 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. 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.”
The actor continued, “I went and saw a neurologist and they sent me to another neurologist and said this is way above [his] pay grade.”
Doctors were only able to diagnose him nine months after he had experienced the initial symptoms.
“I have one functioning arm, my dominant side is [my right], my left side is functioning, my right side is completely stopped working.”
Dane concluded. “My left arm is going, I feel like a couple few more months and I wont have my left either, it is sobering.”
It was an honor to meet with @iamalsorg and my friend @RealEricDane to discuss the urgent need for progress in the fight against ALS. From investing in innovative treatments to ensuring access to quality care, we must do more to support patients, families, and researchers. pic.twitter.com/DFzjp4dK0o
— Eric Swalwell (@ericswalwell) September 30, 2025
Despite his condition, Dane continues acting. Recently, he appeared in the latest episode of Brilliance in which he starred as a firefighter and 9/11 hero who had gotten ALS.
During one scene, Eric’s character shared a message about seeking support, and the crowd gave him a standing ovation.
Speaking to USA Today, Michel Grassi, the creator of Brilliant Minds, said he’d never witnessed anything like it in his career. He said it “essentially got a 10-minute standing ovation after shooting that scene.”
“Because it was so beautiful and so honest and so real,” Grassi added. “While his character is finding bravery, there’s a lot of bravery in Eric to tell the story as well. To come out and share this part of yourself is vulnerable but also really important, and I think raises awareness and shows people that they’re not alone.”
The episode centered on ALS and how the illness affects both the patient and their loved ones. Grassi said Eric Dane’s team approached him in September about doing the storyline, and they shaped it together. He told Deadline the goal was to show “what is it like for a family to navigate a difficult diagnosis,” stressing that there’s no guide for something so painful.
Grassi added that telling this story felt essential because it reflects the reality thousands of Americans with ALS face every year.
“We wanted to meet him and his story in terms of where he [was] that day…when you’re dealing with a progressive illness, sometimes stuff changes every day,” Grassi continued. “So we just really wanted to be open and collaborative and keep the conversation going every day.”
He concluded, “The best part of the process was working with Eric and making sure that he felt great, and we felt great. He was just so generous on set, and it was a really good time getting to work with him.”
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