Actor Eric Dane has returned to work despite his ALS diagnosis. He recently appeared on a Thanksgiving episode of Brilliant Minds, where he received an emotional 10-minute standing ovation on set.
Dane, diagnosed with ALS in April, first noticed weakness in his right hand but didn’t think much of it. After months of specialist visits, he learned he had the disease. Now 52, he says his right arm has stopped working and his left is weakening.
Still, Dane’s passion for acting remains. In Brilliant Minds, he played a firefighter and 9/11 hero with ALS. After filming an emotional scene, the cast and crew stood and applauded him.
Show creator Michael Grassi said he had never seen anything like it, calling Dane’s performance “beautiful, honest, and brave.” Dane was closely involved in shaping the episode, which focused on the struggles families face after an ALS diagnosis. Grassi added that Dane was “so generous” on set and helped bring real honesty to the story.