By Kyra Sansone
Hearts were broken this week as actor Eric Dane, 52, best known for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan in Grey’s Anatomy, announced he has been diagnosed with ALS. On Thursday, April 10, Dane had an exclusive interview with People magazine where he shared the health update.
ALS, short for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive, degenerative disease that has no known cure. The disease, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, slowly deteriorating the body. Early symptoms include weakness of limbs or twitching in the body, which then progresses to losing the ability to control the limbs, with slurred speech often following close behind.
As there is no cure, people with ALS eventually lose their ability to eat, walk, speak, and even breathe on their own. According to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, people with the diagnosis usually have a three- to five-year life expectancy after the first symptoms appear but can live for decades after the diagnosis.
Besides Dane’s iconic role on Grey’s Anatomy (2005), where he was nicknamed “McSteamy,” he has appeared on Euphoria (2019), Private Practice (2009), and The Last Ship (2014). Viewers love him in every role he plays, but for those personally close to him, Dane’s real charm is what we don’t see on camera.
Colman Domingo, fellow Euphoria actor, found out about Dane’s diagnosis when it became public knowledge. Domingo told People magazine that he was surprised to hear about the diagnosis and wished Dane well.
Although his diagnosis is grim, Dane’s friends say his sense of humor is as it has always been.
His family members have not made any statements and are staying private about the situation. However, insiders say his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, and their children, Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13, are facing this together, as they are extremely close.
In the People magazine exclusive, Dane said, “I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.”
After 14 years of marriage in 2018, Gayheart filed for divorce. Almost one month before Dane announced his diagnosis, Gayheart filed to dismiss her divorce from Dane.
According to Us Weekly magazine, “The pair have put their main focus on being amicable coparents for their kids.”
The day before Dane’s announcement, Gayheart told E! News that she and Dane are the best of friends.
“We really figured out the formula to staying a family, and I think our kids are benefiting greatly from it, and we are as well,” Gayheart said to E! News.
Fans have been posting on numerous social media platforms reflecting on the talent, smiles, and happiness Eric Dane brought to their screens.
Beyond that, he has been a popular topic of conversation even at The University of Tampa. Students at UTampa have been rewatching Grey’s Anatomy and talking about how much he will be missed once he stops acting.
“He has always been my favorite character on Grey’s Anatomy. When McSteamy died on the show in the early episodes of season nine, I was distraught,” said Elle MacHale, a junior at UTampa.
Fans have all come to the same consensus. The diagnosis is crushing beyond words.
“My heart breaks for Eric and his family,” MacHale said.
Dane is still set to continue his role on Euphoria as the Jacobs family patriarch, Cal Jacobs, and according to a People magazine exclusive, “is set to begin production of season 3 of the hit HBO show on April 14.”
Dane is not the only celebrity who has unfortunately been diagnosed with ALS. Other recognized individuals include John Driskell Hopkins, Eric Stevens, Joe Bonsall, Roberta Flack, Kenneth Mitchell, and Stephen Hawking.
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Photo courtesy of the Everett Collection.