Eric Dane opens up about ALS progression and whether he plans to continue acting

Earlier, he revealed he has been diagnosed with the condition that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord

Eric Dane has provided a candid update on his health following his ALS diagnosis, confirming that he plans to continue acting despite the progression of the disease.

The 53-year-old Grey’s Anatomy alum revealed earlier this year that he is living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a condition that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

Speaking on a virtual panel for IAMALS.org, he described the physical changes he has experienced, including loss of mobility in his arms, speech alterations, and wheelchair use.

Dane said, “I have no reason to be in a good spirit at any time, on any given day. I don’t think anybody would blame me if I went upstairs in my bedroom, crawled under the sheets, and spent the next two weeks crying.”

Despite this, he emphasised that he intends to keep working. “I’m not about to concede my purpose for some disease. I just am not capable of doing that. I’m fairly limited in what I can do physically as an actor but I still have my brain and I still have my speech so I’m willing to do just about anything.”

He noted that future roles will likely need to be “ALS-centric,” adding, “It’s going to be very difficult for me to play any other role where you don’t look at the 800-pound gorilla in the room – and I’m fine with that. I’m grateful that I can still work in any capacity.”

Dane recently portrayed Matthew, a firefighter living with ALS, in Brilliant Minds. “The hardest thing for me to do was separate myself from the character because it was something that was so fresh and it was something that was so real to me,” he said. “There were moments where it was very difficult for me to get the lines out. But overall I was really grateful for the experience. I found it to be a bit cathartic.”

In a previous interview with Diane Sawyer on GMA, Dane revealed that his right hand has “completely stopped working,” and he feared losing function in his left hand as well.

He recalled first noticing “weakness” and “fatigue” before seeking specialist help over several months, which ultimately led to his diagnosis. “I will never forget those three letters. It’s on me the second I wake up. It’s not a dream,” he said.

Dane affirmed that he is not ready to step away from his career and will continue pursuing roles for as long as he is able.