Eric Dane, “Grey’s Anatomy” star, reveals ALS diagnosis and asks for privacy

Actor Eric Dane, best known worldwide for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy, revealed on Thursday (April 10) that he has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

+ Police remove reporter from crime scene during live broadcast

At 52 years old, Dane shared the news in a statement to People magazine, thanking his family for their support and asking for privacy:

“I’ve been diagnosed with ALS. I’m grateful to have my beloved family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.”

The actor is married to fellow actress Rebecca Gayheart, 53, with whom he has two daughters: Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13.

Despite the diagnosis, Dane said he will continue working:

“I feel privileged to be able to continue acting and I’m looking forward to returning to the set of Euphoria next week.”

The actor plays Cal Jacobs, father of Nate (Jacob Elordi), in the HBO series. He is expected to begin filming his scenes for the highly anticipated third season on April 14, according to People. The new season of the show created by Sam Levinson began filming in January after a three-year hiatus — the last episode aired on February 27, 2022.

What is ALS?

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, resulting in loss of muscle control. There is no known cure, and average life expectancy after diagnosis ranges from three to five years, although some patients, like Stephen Hawking, have lived for decades.

Early symptoms include muscle twitches, limb weakness, slurred speech, and difficulty swallowing. Over time, ALS paralyzes the muscles needed for movement, speech, eating, and breathing.

Dane has not publicly disclosed when he received the diagnosis.

Celebrities who have faced ALS

In addition to Eric Dane, other well-known figures have also battled ALS, including physicist Stephen Hawking, musicians John Driskell Hopkins (Zac Brown Band) and Joe Bonsall (The Oak Ridge Boys), singer Roberta Flack, actor Kenneth Mitchell, among others.

Photos: flickr / Courtesy Everett Collection. Source: people. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.