Inside Eric Dane’s heartbreaking battle with ALS as actor dies age 53

Eric Dane has died aged 53 following a battle with ALS, it has been confirmed by the star’s family on Thursday.

The award-winning actor is survived by his two teenage daughters, Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13, and his wife, Rebecca Gayheart.

ALS is a nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to loss of muscle control and paralysis as it gets worse over time, per Mayo Clinic. 

Dane announced his diagnosis with the disease in April. By June, he revealed that he had lost function of his right arm and hand and by October he was in a wheelchair.

Born on November 9, 1972, Dane moved to Los Angeles at the age of 21 to pursue a career in Hollywood.

His early acting credits involved appearances in Saved by the Bell, The Wonder Years, Roseanne, and Married… with Children, but his big break came in 2000 when he was cast in a recurring role in Gideon’s Crossing.

He then went on to land the role of Jason Dean in Charmed.

In 2005, Dane guest appeared in Grey’s Anatomy as Dr Mark Sloan.

His character garnered such a huge response from viewers in his debut episode that he was promoted to a series regular for the show’s third season.

Dane went on to appear on the medical drama until the eight season when he resigned, although he returned fleetingly in season nine before Dr Mark was killed off.

More recently, Dane starred as Jacob Elordi’s on-screen dad in the HBO series, Euphoria, which premiered in 2019.

In April, he confirmed that he would be returning to the show as Cal Jacobs for its third and final season.

‘I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to [the] set of Euphoria,’ he said in a statement to People.

On the big screen, Dane appeared in array of huge titles, including Marley & Me (2008), Burlesque (2010), and Americana (2023).

In 2010, he starred alongside Jessica Alba, Kathy Bates, Jessica Biel, and Bradley Cooper in the romcom, Valentine’s Day.

Earlier this year, Dane appeared in Jimmy Warden’s directorial debut, Borderline with Samara Weaving and Ray Nicholson.

Dane had been open about his declining health, first revealing his ALS diagnosis in April.

‘I have been diagnosed with ALS,’ he told People at the time. ‘I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.’

In an interview with Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America in June, Dane spoke about how he was processing amid his health battle.

‘I wake up every day, and I’m immediately reminded that this is happening. It’s not a dream,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Dane’s wife Rebecca opened up about how their family was dealing with his ‘heartbreaking’ diagnosis.

She said that their teenage daughters were talking to therapists as their father battled with the progressive neurodegenerative disease.

‘I mean, it’s heartbreaking,’ she told People. ‘My girls are really suffering, and we’re just trying to get through it. It’s a tough time.

‘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.’

Dane wed Rebecca in 2004. They were married for 14 years before she filed for divorce in 2018, however, the pair called off the split seven years later.

His announcement about his diagnosis came a month after Rebecca requested to dismiss her divorce filing.

‘I mean, we’re definitely dealing with something that has brought us all together, and Eric will always be my family, whether we’re married or not, or living in the same house or not, but yeah, we are closer, but we don’t like the reason why,’ she said.

‘It’s a horrible disease, and I wish that there was a cure. I hope they find one soon, because it is just so sad.’

In September, Dane was notably absent from the Emmys despite a previously announced appearance to reunite with his Grey’s Anatomy co-star Jesse Williams to present an award.

Williams ended up presenting alone onstage and made no mention of Dane’s absence.

A day later, Dane made a virtual appearance as he revealed he partnered up with the nonprofit organization I AM ALS.

In the video, he encouraged people to donate for the cause to find a cure.

‘I’m Eric, an actor, a father and now a person living with ALS,’ he said in the video.

Dane provided another update on his health in December while appearing on a virtual panel for IAMALS.org,

He admitted feeling overwhelmed at times by his diagnosis which impaired his mobility and speech. 

‘I have no reason to be in a good spirit at any time, on any given day,’ an emotional Dane said.

‘I don’t think anybody would blame me if I went upstairs in my bedroom, crawled under the sheets, and spent the next two weeks crying.’

Dane, however, expressed he’s determined to continue working as much as he can and won’t be giving up his acting career just yet.

‘I’m not about to concede my purpose for some disease. I just am not capable of doing that.

‘I’m fairly limited in what I can do physically as an actor but I still have my brain and I still have my speech so I’m willing to do just about anything,’ he added. 

Despite his resolve, he admits the neurodegenerative disorder – also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease – has forced him to rethink the types of roles he can take on.

‘I’ll take on any role, but I think from here on out it’s going to have to be ALC-centric,’ he told viewers.

‘It’s going to be very difficult for me to play any other role where you don’t look at the 800-pound gorilla in the room – and I’m fine with that. I’m grateful that I can still work in any capacity.’

On Thursday, Dane’s family confirmed his death in a lengthy statement to People, where they praised his courage amid his ALS battle.

The family shared that Dane ‘spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world.

‘Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight.

‘He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received.

‘The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time,’ the statement concluded. 

Less than a month before his death, Dane sparked concerns for his health when he abruptly pulled out of an ALS event.

The actor was scheduled to be honored with the Advocate of the Year award at the ALS Network’s Champions for Cures and Care Gala on January 24, 2026.

But Dane was forced to cancel ‘hours before’ the benefit ‘due to the physical realities of ALS’ and not being ‘well enough to attend,’ the organization told People.

‘This award is not just for me, it’s for my beautiful family and loved ones who are fighting,’ the Euphoria star said in a pre-recorded message broadcast at the gala.

‘And it’s for every person who has faced ALS with courage, for every caregiver who gives their heart — day after day — and for every advocate who is a voice for progress.

‘The ALS Network makes a powerful impact by uniting care and research to improve and extend the lives of people living with ALS. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this. With help from the ALS Network, we will finally kick the s*** out of ALS.’

On Thursday, The ALS Network posted a tribute to Dane ‘whose courage in the face of ALS inspired millions.’

‘After publicly sharing his diagnosis, Eric used his voice to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and shine a global spotlight on the urgent need for treatments and cures,’ a representative wrote via Instagram.

‘We were honored to collaborate with him and name him our 2025 Advocate of the Year. His strength, honesty, and compassion helped the world better understand what families facing ALS endure every day.

‘The ALS Network extends heartfelt condolences to his loved ones and to all who were touched by his advocacy. His impact on the ALS community will not be forgotten.’