Eric Dane has died at 53 after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
In 2025, the former Grey’s Anatomy star revealed he had been diagnosed with ALS after first noticing weakness in his right hand about a year and a half earlier — a symptom he initially dismissed as texting fatigue. As the weakness worsened, he saw specialists and was diagnosed nine months later, calling it a moment he would “never forget.”
ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that destroys motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventually respiratory failure. There is no cure, and most patients live three to five years after diagnosis.
Despite the progression of the disease, Dane continued acting in Euphoria and The Countdown. Over time, he lost use of his right arm, then his mobility, and was using a wheelchair full time by late 2025. He also became an advocate for ALS awareness and research.
Dane passed away on February 20, surrounded by his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, and their two daughters, Billie and Georgia. His family said he fought courageously and was grateful for the love and support he received, asking for privacy as they grieve.