Eric Dane has announced he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND), also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
The Grey’s Anatomy star told People, ”I have been diagnosed with ALS. I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.”
Also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, motor neurone disease (as it is known in Australia) is “a nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord,” according to the Mayo Clinic.
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The disease causes loss of muscle control and gets worse over time. The exact cause is not known and there is no cure, with those diagnosed typically living for three to five years after the diagnosis.
The 52-year-old says will soon be returning to the set of teen drama Euphoria, in which he plays Cal Jacobs, the patriarch of the family.
“I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to set of Euphoria next week,” he said.
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“I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time.”
Dane was married to actress and model Rebecca Gayheart, with whom he shares two daughters – Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13.
Gayheart had filed for divorce from the Grey’s Anatomy star in February 2018 after 14 years of marriage, citing “irreconcilable differences” as the cause of the split at the time.
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But in March 2025, she filed to dismiss the divorce, with Dane reportedly signing the papers with his consent, according to E! News.
The news was revealed just four hours before Dane revealed his diagnosis, with the actress telling the outlet, “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.
“We were married for, I mean, we are still married, but together for 15 years and we had two beautiful kids so I think that’s a successful relationship, and that’s how we look at it.”
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The former married couple sparked rumours of reconciliation after spending family trips together with their daughters, though they were struck down when he was spotted out and about with actress Priya Jain.
Dane and Jain have been captured holding hands as recently as February 2025, spending time together in Los Angeles.
Neither Jain nor Dane have spoken about their respective relationship statuses.
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