Grey’s Anatomy Stars Rally Around Eric Dane After ALS Diagnosis

For fans of Grey’s Anatomy, the bond between its stars has always been a point of fascination. But in recent months, that camaraderie has taken on a somber note as Eric Dane, known to millions as the charismatic Dr. Mark Sloan or “McSteamy,” faces an intensely personal battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The disease, often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a degenerative condition that relentlessly attacks the body’s muscles, leading to paralysis and, ultimately, a loss of independence. Dane, just 53, has become the latest public face of this devastating illness—and his journey has prompted an outpouring of support from former colleagues and fans alike.

Patrick Dempsey, who played “McDreamy” Dr. Derek Shepherd opposite Dane on the long-running medical drama, recently opened up to Parade about his friend’s diagnosis and the toll it’s taken. “I spoke to him a few weeks ago. I’ve been texting with him,” Dempsey shared, reflecting a friendship that’s endured well beyond their on-screen days. “It’s very hard for him, but I do try to stay in touch and see how he’s doing. I think he’s been incredibly courageous in the face of this horrible disease. He’s such a wonderful human being. He has such a great sense of humor, and he’s so intelligent. I’ve always enjoyed working and being around Eric.”

That sense of loss and admiration was echoed by Kate Walsh, who played Addison Montgomery, Dane’s love interest on Grey’s Anatomy. “It’s so painful. It’s really sad. I haven’t been in touch with him, but I’ve reached out and sent my love and support and strength. It’s so heartbreaking,” Walsh told People. She added, “My heart goes out to him. I’ve kept him, his family, his girls, in my prayers,” referencing Dane’s two daughters, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14, whom he co-parents amicably with his estranged wife, Rebecca Gayheart.

Dane first revealed his ALS diagnosis in April 2025, shocking fans and colleagues alike. Since then, his condition has worsened rapidly. According to ComingSoon.net, Dane now requires 24-hour nursing care and uses a wheelchair full-time. Gayheart, in a candid essay for The Cut, disclosed, “Eric has 24/7 nurses now,” and described how she helps with his care as needed. The disease has already taken the use of one of Dane’s arms, and he’s publicly acknowledged the swift progression: “My left side is functioning, my right side has completely stopped working. I feel like maybe a couple more months and I won’t have my left hand either. It’s sobering,” he told Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America.

The physical realities of ALS have forced Dane to step back from many aspects of his professional life. Just last weekend, he was unable to attend the ALS Network’s Champions for Cures and Care Gala, where he was set to receive the Advocate of the Year Award. The organization shared in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, “The ALS Network has been informed that Eric Dane had hoped to join us this evening to accept his Advocate of the Year Award, but due to the physical realities of ALS, he is not well enough to attend.”

Despite these challenges, Dane has made a point of using his platform to raise awareness about ALS and advocate for a cure. In December 2025, he participated in a virtual panel for Giving Tuesday with I AM ALS and Synapticure co-founders Brian Wallach and Sandra Abrevaya, as well as Brilliant Minds showrunner Michael Grassi and writer/consulting producer Dr. Daniela Lamas, M.D. On the NBC drama Brilliant Minds, Dane played a firefighter grappling with an ALS diagnosis—a role that mirrored his real-life struggle and allowed him to bring authenticity and vulnerability to the screen. “He’s bringing a lot of light to that, and he’s using his platform in a positive way,” Dempsey told Parade. Show creator Michael Grassi echoed this sentiment to PopCulture.com, saying, “I feel so lucky that we had the opportunity to work together and collaborate and tell this story, which I know is important to him for many reasons and important to me for many reasons.”

Dempsey, who recently launched the FOX series Memory of a Killer, had hoped to cast Dane in a guest role, but the rapid progression of ALS made it impossible. “We were trying to get him in [the show], but unfortunately, the progression of his disease made it virtually impossible,” Dempsey explained. Still, he expressed happiness that Dane was able to film a part on Brilliant Minds in Toronto, calling it a small but meaningful victory.

For Dane, maintaining hope and sharing his journey publicly has become a mission. “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,” he told People. “And I was a little bit pleasantly surprised when I realized that I wasn’t built like that, because I thought for sure that was gonna be me.” He added, “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.”

His determination to keep acting, even as his body changes, is striking. During a virtual panel for IAMALS.org, Dane insisted, “I still have my brain and I still have my speech. I’m not about to concede my purpose for some disease.” That fighting spirit, coupled with his candor, has earned him admiration from both the ALS community and the entertainment industry.

Meanwhile, those who know him best continue to rally around him. Dempsey’s words perhaps sum up the sentiment shared by many: “It’s heartbreaking. It really is. For him and for his family. You feel for them when you see this terrible disease and how quickly it attacks the body. But he’s bringing a lot of light to that, and he’s positively using his platform. I wish him the best.”

As the story of Eric Dane’s fight with ALS unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the fragility of life, the power of community, and the courage it takes to face the unimaginable. For now, his friends, family, and fans continue to offer their support, hoping that his advocacy and openness will help bring greater awareness—and, one day, a cure—for ALS.