How Eric Dane gave his final months to 'moving the needle' on ALS
The Grey's Anatomy star spent his last months campaigning towards a cure for the rare, incurable condition.
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Notable Quotes
"If my actions can move the needle forward for myself and countless others, I'm satisfied."
— Eric Dane , Celebrity
"His quality of life was deteriorating so rapidly."
— Patrick Dempsey , Celebrity
"ALS is a very aggressive disorder."
— Kevin Talbot , Academic
"Some of you may know me from TV shows, such as 'Grey's Anatomy,' which I play a doctor. But I am here today to speak briefly as a patient battling ALS."
— Eric Dane , Celebrity
"For over a century, ALS has been incurable and we’re done accepting the status quo."
— Eric Dane , Celebrity
"I have one functioning arm. My dominant side, my left side, is functioning. My right side has completely stopped working."
— Eric Dane , Celebrity
""It's imperative that I share my journey with as many people as I can, because I don't feel like my life is about me anymore.""
— Eric Dane , Celebrity
"I’m Eric. An actor, a father and now a person living with ALS."
— Eric Dane , Celebrity
"Together, we’ll renew the landmark law ACT for ALS, get promising treatments to thousands of patients like me."
— Eric Dane , Celebrity
"He’s solid. The man’s just solid, and we have to be careful, you know, as men to still, you know, take care of ourselves and he’s got a perfect balance going."
— Jesse Williams , Celebrity
"[My left arm] is going. I feel like maybe a couple more months and I won’t have my left hand either. It’s sobering."
— Eric Dane , Celebrity
"We have managed to become better friends and better parents."
— Eric Dane , Celebrity
Key People
Eric Dane was an actor known for starring in Grey's Anatomy and campaigning for ALS awareness and research.
Jesse Williams is an American actor known for his role as Jackson Avery on 'Grey's Anatomy.'
Professor Kevin Talbot runs the University of Oxford's Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences.
Neil Thackur is associated with the ALS Association.
Patrick Dempsey is an actor and co-star of Grey's Anatomy with Eric Dane.
Rebecca Gayheart is an actress and model, and the wife of Eric Dane.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is an American environmental attorney and activist.
Tags
All Coverage
The Grey's Anatomy star spent his last months campaigning towards a cure for the rare, incurable condition.
Eric Dane, celebrated for his roles in 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'Euphoria,' died from ALS at 53. He became a dedicated advocate for ALS awareness and research after his diagnosis.
Eric Dane released a video announcing a campaign with I Am ALS to accelerate research and secure $1 billion in federal funding for ALS over the next three years.
Eric Dane discussed his future in acting while living with ALS, expressing his intention to focus on roles involving ALS and his gratitude for being able to continue working.
Eric Dane appeared in a video promoting an ALS research campaign, showing signs of the disease, including slurred speech and involuntary arm movements.
Similar Stories
Related coverage based on topic and tags
'What terminal cancer has taught me about life'
A Gloucestershire man with terminal cancer shares the life lessons he wishes he'd learned sooner.
October 10, 2026 at 06:16 AMWhat happens when you don't know your family medical history?
People who have been adopted or in care sometimes struggle to access family medical history which would be crucial to their own health.
October 10, 2026 at 05:45 AMQuestions remain over Ebola patient who travelled across three nations undetected
Fresh details reveal how the 40-year-old businessman flew and crossed regional borders while seriously ill.
October 10, 2026 at 12:00 AMScreams, haunting scenes and deadly hide-and-seek, as Celebrity Traitors heats up
Episode four saw another contestant killed off, a ghoulish mission near a graveyard and a spooky twist.
October 9, 2026 at 10:51 PMHollywood actor Luke Evans on 'joyous' four months filming in rainy Wales
His family were on the set, and he even managed to get some relatives a cameo in the final episode.
October 9, 2026 at 06:02 PMUS FDA approves Asahi Kasei's drug for persistent herpes infections - Reuters
US FDA approves Asahi Kasei's drug for persistent herpes infections Reuters
October 9, 2026 at 06:01 PM