Eric Dane had to miss a scheduled appearance at the Champions for Cures and Care Gala on Saturday amid his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis.
The 53-year-old actor was honored with the Advocate of the Year Award at the annual event put on by the ALS Network in Pasadena, California.
But he couldn’t accept the prize in person ‘due to the physical realities’ of the neurodegenerative condition.
An ALS Network spokesperson said in a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter: ‘The ALS Network has been informed that Eric Dane had hoped to join us this evening to accept his Advocate of the Year Award, but due to the physical realities of ALS, he is not well enough to attend.
‘We remain deeply grateful for his courage, advocacy, and continued commitment to the ALS community, and we honor him fully this evening with our profound respect and support. Aaron Lazar, Broadway star and Grammy Award nominee, will accept the award on his behalf.’
The organization announced in September that Dane would be the recipient of the award.
Eric Dane had to miss a scheduled appearance at the Champions for Cures and Care Gala on Saturday amid his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis (seen in October 2025)
A statement shared online read, ‘Through his advocacy, Eric has brought international attention to ALS, helping strengthen @youralsnetwork’s urgent mission to provide care, resources, and hope to families impacted by this disease.
‘Thank you, Eric, for your leadership and compassion!’
The former Grey’s Anatomy star replied, ‘This award is more than an honor – it is a reflection of the incredible strength and courage I see in the ALS community every day.’
He previously announced in April 2025 that he was diagnosed with the condition, which progressively weakens muscles and affects physical function.
His ALS news came one month after he and wife Rebecca Gayheart, 54, called off their divorce, despite no longer being romantically involved.
They share daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14.
In December the longtime performer shared plans to release a memoir.
He will author Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments, to be published under Maria Shriver’s The Open Field publishing imprint, a subset of Penguin Random House.
The actor was honored with the Advocate of the Year Award, but couldn’t accept the prize in person ‘due to the physical realities’ of his neurodegenerative condition; pictured in 2025
Dane announced in April that he was diagnosed with the condition, which progressively weakens muscles and affects physical function
Dane’s ALS news in April 2025 came one month after he and wife Rebecca Gayheart called off their divorce, despite no longer being romantically involved; pictured in 2016
Dane will highlight the days of his life that ‘have meant the most,’ which include his daughters’ births, filming Grey’s Anatomy, getting sober, and the day he received his ALS diagnosis.
Gayheart filed for divorce from the actor in 2018 after 14 years of marriage, citing ‘irreconcilable differences.’
But in early 2025 the pair quietly called off the divorce.
In a first-person piece published in The Cut in December, Gayheart shed light on their relationship, explaining that her love for him is not romantic but ‘familial.’
Dane and Gayheart share daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14 ; pictured in May 2024
She added that she is trying to do her best by him amid his health issues.
The actress wrote: ‘We had a really lovely marriage for a long time – we were married for 15 years – we created two beautiful girls.
‘But also, lots of s**t went crazy in our relationship, and it wasn’t good. We separated, but we never got a divorce; we were about to and then we didn’t. We haven’t lived in the same home for eight years; he’s dated other people, I’ve dated someone.’
‘It’s a very complicated relationship, one that’s confusing for people,’ she acknowledged.
Gayheart added that she ‘shows up’ for Dane to make his health journey ‘easier.’
