Heartbroken Eric Dane reveals his teenage daughter had to save his life in traumatic incident amid ALS battle
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Eric Dane spoke out for the first time on his devastating ALS diagnosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
The former Grey’s Anatomy star sat down with Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America on Monday, where he revealed the status of his condition.
The actor, 52, said that he lost function in his right arm and that his left arm is starting to lose function as well.
ALS progressively weakens muscles, affecting a person’s physical function.
Eric recalled a terrifying moment when one of his daughters rescued him from drowning – a moment he realized he couldn’t swim anymore – despite being a competitive swimmer and former polo star.
Eric Dane spoke out for the first time on his devastating ALS diagnosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Eric recalled a terrifying moment when one of his daughters rescued him from drowning – a moment he realized he couldn’t swim anymore – despite being a competitive swimmer and former polo star; pictured with his daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13 on May 30, 2024 in LA
Eric is dad to two daughters with wife Rebecca Gayheart: Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13.
He was enjoying a swim in the ocean with his youngest daughter Georgia, when all of a sudden he couldn’t get himself back onto the boat.
‘When I jumped in the ocean that day and realized I couldn’t swim [or] generate enough power to get myself back to the boat, I thought, “Oh, God,”‘ Eric recalled.
‘And then I realized in that moment I’m not safe in the water anymore,’ he said.
‘She dragged me back in the boat,’ Eric said of his daughter who saved his life and pulled him out of the ocean.
Diane asked him about the aftermath of the incident: ‘What did you say to each other?’
‘I was like breaking down in tears, so I made sure she got back in the water with her friend and continued on with the snorkeling with the guide. But I was just heartbroken,’ he said.
The actor, 52, said that he lost function in his right arm and that his left arm is starting to lose function as well
He was enjoying a swim in the ocean with his youngest daughter Georgia, when all of a sudden he couldn’t get himself back onto the boat; seen with his kids on May 30, 2024
Georgia, Billie and Rebecca pictured
Eric played Dr. Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy; pictured with his co-star Ellen Pompeo, Patrick Dempsey and Sandra Oh
In 2018, Rebecca filed for divorce but she dismissed it in March 2025;The stars got married in 2004; all pictured 2016
In 2018, Rebecca filed for divorce but she dismissed it in March 2025;The stars got married in 2004.
Eric revealed in the emotional interview that he talks to Rebecca every day and that he leans on her amid his battle with ALS.
‘I talk to her every day. We have managed to become better friends and better parents. And she is probably my biggest champion and my most stalwart supporter. And I lean on her.’
Eric revealed his ALS diagnosis in April 2025. There is no cure for the disease.
The life expectancy for a person with ALS is three years from the initial onset of symptoms, although some have lived with it for decades.
