ALS-stricken Eric Dane reveals hopes for his TV future amid battle with terminal condition

Eric Dane has revealed his hopeful plans to continue his acting career amid his battle with degenerative condition ALS.

The Grey’s Anatomy alum, 52,  announced in April that he’s battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a rare and incurable neurological condition that progressively weakens muscles and affects physical function.

He has vowed to carry on with his filming commitments on Euphoria in an emotional interview – and previously tearfully declared: ‘This doesn’t feel like the end.’

He told Variety: ‘I will ride that show until the wheels fall off.  

‘I don’t know what the fate of the show is. I do know that it takes a heroic effort to put it together. If all the elements are going to be there to keep going, I would work on it as long as they’ll have me.’

He also dished on what he knows about Euphoria’s new season.

Eric Dane has revealed his hopeful plans to continue his acting career amid his battle with degenerative condition ALS – pictured August 2024 

‘Listen, I don’t know anything. I haven’t seen a script. We get pages maybe a day or two before, but it’s all kept on the D.L. I just have so much trust in Sam Levinson that I don’t really need to know what’s happening. 

As Cal Jacobs, Dane’s performance is full of barely repressed rage which is a problem in his parenting of Jacob Elordi’s Nate Jacobs. 

‘I work with Jacob a lot; we have profound conversations when we’re not shooting. He’s a smart, bright, intuitive actor. You can apply that across the board with this cast,’ Dane said.

Dane rose to fame as Dr. Mark ‘McSteamy’ Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy when it was at the height of its popularity, much like Euphoria is now. 

‘It is mind-bending that I have been a part of two of the shows that have been very zeitgeisty — I guess that’s a word. I love making shows that you know people are going to show up to watch. It’s rare, and it’s not lost on me.’

Dane can next be seen in the Amazon series Countdown in which he plays Nathan Blythe, who is part of a team trying to save Los Angeles from attack. 

As Cal Jacobs, Dane’s performance is full of barely repressed rage which is a problem in his parenting of Jacob Elordi’s Nate Jacobs

Dane and estranged wife Rebecca Gayheart are parents to daughters Billie Beatrice Dane, 15, and Georgia Geraldine Dane, 13. Seen here in 2017

At the time of his ALS diagnosis, Dane and his wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart, 53, were separated.

Speaking to E! News about their relationship in early April, the day before Dane revealed his diagnosis, Gayheart said, ‘We are really close. We are great co-parents.’

‘We really figured out the formula to staying a family and I think our kids are benefiting greatly from it, and we are as well.’

‘I think it’s important to not look at a relationship that ends as a failure. It’s just a season. It wasn’t a failure. It was a huge success,’ she asserted.

Rebecca and Eric tied the knot in 2004, two years before he landed his fan favorite role as Dr. Mark Sloan aka ‘McSteamy’ on Grey’s Anatomy.

They stayed together through the scandal that erupted five years into their marriage when a home video leaked of them frolicking naked with an ex-beauty queen.

Dane and Gayheart are parents to daughters Billie Beatrice Dane, 15, and Georgia Geraldine Dane, 13. 

Six years later in 2017, Eric entered treatment for depression, resulting in a filming pause on his action drama series The Last Ship.

The following year, Rebecca filed for divorce on grounds of irreconcilable differences, and the pair agreed on joint custody of their daughters with Eric paying alimony.

However, the divorce was never finalized throughout the seven-year split.

On Thursday, Dane appeared in a teaser for an upcoming Good Morning America interview with Diane Sawyer, offering a deeply personal glimpse into how he’s coping with the diagnosis.

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

In the emotional 30-second preview, the Euphoria star is seen holding hands with Sawyer as they reflect on his journey. 

At one point, Dane is seen walking alongside Sawyer, their conversation taking a deeply personal turn. 

On Thursday, Dane appeared in a teaser for an upcoming Good Morning America interview with Diane Sawyer, offering a deeply personal glimpse into how he’s coping with the diagnosis 

The actor becomes visibly emotional, wiping away tears as he opens up, declaring, ‘I don’t think this is the end of my story. I don’t feel like this is the end of me.’ 

Two months ago, Dane released a statement about his condition, expressing gratitude for the strong support system he has in place. 

‘I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter,’ he said.

‘I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to set of Euphoria next week. 

‘I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time.’