Eric Dane opens up about ALS battle, addiction and family in posthumous memoir

Eric Dane is sharing deeply personal details about his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), his struggles with addiction and his relationship with his family in a memoir written before his death at 53.

The late Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria actor’s book, My Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments, offers an intimate account of his life, including his rise to fame, his recovery struggles and the progressive illness that ultimately claimed his life. An exclusive excerpt published by PEOPLE reveals how Dane wanted to document his experiences for his daughters, Billie, 16, and Georgia, 14.

Dane first noticed something was wrong on January 7, 2024, while eating sushi with his children. He struggled to hold chopsticks with his right hand as his fingers became numb. Initially dismissing the symptoms, he later experienced the same problem more severely. After months of seeking medical answers, he received an ALS diagnosis in April 2025.

In the memoir, Dane recounts calling his estranged wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart, after learning the diagnosis. The couple had filed for divorce in 2018 following 14 years of marriage but remained close and continued raising their daughters together.

Dane recalled Gayheart breaking down in tears when he told her the news. Despite their separation, she immediately reassured him that she would stand by him throughout the illness. He described her as his closest friend and someone who remained available whenever he needed support.

The actor also revisited his long struggle with substance addiction, including a relapse during his time on Grey’s Anatomy. Dane joined the medical drama in 2005 and became widely recognised as Dr Mark Sloan, nicknamed McSteamy. However, his growing dependence on drugs, particularly painkillers, affected his personal life and work.

Dane revealed that he went to rehabilitation five times during his tenure on the series. He also recalled how creator Shonda Rhimes approached him on multiple occasions to offer support when his struggles became apparent to those around him.

His departure from Grey’s Anatomy in 2012 was another subject he addressed in the memoir. While acknowledging that his addiction had not helped his circumstances, Dane said he believed financial considerations ultimately led to his character's exit. He wrote that, despite Mark Sloan's popularity, he had become too expensive for the show.

Beyond his career and addiction, Dane's memoir reflects on the importance of fatherhood and the family he maintained with Gayheart. Although their marriage had ended, the pair continued to co-parent their daughters and remained closely connected. His ALS diagnosis brought them together during an especially difficult period, as his condition progressively affected his physical abilities.

Dane died on February 19, 2026, at the age of 53, following his battle with ALS. His family said he spent his final days surrounded by loved ones, including Gayheart and their daughters.

My Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments is scheduled for publication on November 3, 2026. Through the book, Dane leaves behind a personal account of his life, his struggles and the relationships that mattered most to him, offering his daughters and readers a deeper understanding of the man beyond his celebrated television roles.