Eric Dane shares details of ALS battle in first TV interview since diagnosis
The ‘Euphoria’ and ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ actor sat down with Diane Sawyer for his first on-camera interview about living with ALS.
WASHINGTON — Former “Grey’s Anatomy” star Eric Dane has opened up about his battle with ALS in a new television interview with “Good Morning America.”
Dane’s comments, which aired Monday, marks his first public interview since he revealed his diagnosis in April. Dane sat with Diane Sawyer to talk about being diagnosed with the degenerative neurological disorder and how he’s already feeling some of its effects, including the loss of function in his right arm.
“I have one functioning arm. My left side is functioning. My right side has completely stopped working,” Dane described.
Dane said his symptoms began over a year ago after experiencing weakness in his right arm. The “Euphoria” actor revealed that while his left side is still working, he feels as if its functions will soon stop.
“It’s going. I feel like maybe a couple few more months, and I won’t have my left,” he said. “It’s sobering.”
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurological disorder that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. According to the National Institutes of Health, the disease causes motor neurons to deteriorate, leading to muscle weakness and eventual paralysis. There is currently no cure for ALS, though some treatments may slow progression and improve quality of life.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that people with ALS typically live three to five years after symptoms develop, with younger patients generally living slightly longer.
The “Euphoria” actor revealed he sought neurologists and hand specialists for nine months before getting a diagnosis.
“I will never forget those three letters,” Dane said. “It’s on me the second I wake up.”
The 52-year-old, who was a former competitive swimmer, revealed he now struggles to swim —a devastating reality that hit home during a boat trip with his youngest daughter when she had to rescue him from the water.
“She dragged me back to the boat,” he said. “I was breaking down in tears. I was just heartbroken.”
Dane also revealed that his relationship with his ex-wife Rebecca Gayheart, whom he shares two daughters with, has strengthened since his diagnosis.
“I talk to her every day,” he said while getting visibly emotional. “We have managed to become better friends, better parents. And she is probably my biggest champion and my stalwart supporter. And I lean on her.”
Despite the challenges posed by his diagnosis, Dane expressed an optimistic outlook during the interview. “I don’t think this is the end of my story,” he said. “I don’t feel like this is the end of me.”
“I’m fighting as much as I can. There’s so much about it that’s out of my control,” Dane said.
The former “Grey’s Anatomy” star shared that he’s worried about the disease taking him away from his daughters.
“I am angry because my father was taken from me when I was young, And now there’s a very good chance I’m going to be taken from my girls while they’re young.”
Dane first disclosed his ALS diagnosis to People magazine in April, saying he felt “grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.” The actor has two daughters, ages 15 and 13, said at the time he felt “fortunate” to continue working.
Dane rose to fame playing Dr. Mark “McSteamy” Sloan on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” for six seasons. More recently, he has portrayed Cal Jacobs on HBO’s “Euphoria” and plans to return for the show’s third season.
A second part of the exclusive “Good Morning America” interview, featuring Dane and a physician, will air Tuesday morning.