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Eric Danefinest recognized for his roles on Euphoria and Gray’s Anatomyrevealed in April 2025 that he was identified with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative illness. Lower than a yr later, he died on February 19, 2026, on the age of 53.
After revealing his analysis, the actor continued working when doable and used his public platform to advocate for analysis and help for individuals dwelling with ALS.
In late September 2025, Eric traveled to Washington, D.C. with the nonprofit I Am ALS to fulfill with lawmakers and push for the reauthorization of the ACT for ALS — federal laws that gives analysis funding and entry to novel therapies. Throughout these conferences, he spoke in regards to the urgency of increasing help for sufferers and instructed advocates he plans to “battle to the final breath” for progress.
Alongside his advocacy work, Dane’s household life remained central. He shared two daughters, Billie and Georgiaalong with his spouse, Rebecca Gayheart; their household labored to navigate his well being journey collectively, with Gayheart opening up about how they shared the analysis with their youngsters and continued to help each other day-to-day.
To study extra about Erichis profession and his sickness, preserve studying.
Who Was Eric Dane?
Eric was recognized for fairly a number of movie and TV roles, however his most up-to-date one is taking part in Cal Jacobs in HBO’s hit collection Euphoria. Amongst his most well-known earlier roles have been taking part in Mark Sloan in Gray’s Anatomy and Captain Tom Chandler in The Final Ship.
The San Francisco native additionally appeared within the exhibits Saved By the Bell, The Surprise Years, Gideon’s Crossing, Charmed, Personal Follow and Wi-fi.
How Previous Was Eric Dane When He Died?
Eric was 53 years previous as of February 2026. He was born on November 9, 1972.
Eric Dane’s Well being
In April 2025, Eric instructed Individuals about his analysis with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
“I’ve been identified with ALS,” the actor revealed. “I’m grateful to have my loving household by my facet as we navigate this subsequent chapter. I really feel lucky that I’m able to proceed working and am wanting ahead to returning to set of Euphoria subsequent week. I kindly ask that you simply give my household and I privateness throughout this time.”
The analysis shortly turned extra seen in Dane’s life, most notably in the course of the 2025 Emmys, when he was hospitalized and unable to current. In an interview with The Washington Put upDane defined the rationale for his absence, saying, “ALS is a nasty illness. So I used to be within the hospital in the course of the Emmys getting stitches put in my head.”
He added, “I missed a chance I used to be actually wanting ahead to. It will have been nice to see Jesse and get reunited with a few of my friends, and to have the ability to current in entrance of my colleagues, I believed would have been a particular second. So I used to be actually upset about it, however you recognize, there was nothing I may do about it.”
How Did ALS Trigger Eric Dane’s Loss of life?
Dane was candid in regards to the development of his illness throughout his remaining months. He additionally shared that he misplaced use of his proper arm and was experiencing weak spot in his left.
“I’ve one functioning arm. My dominant facet. My left facet is functioning, my proper facet has fully stopped working,” he shared with Good Morning America. “It’s going. I really feel like perhaps a pair, few extra months, and I gained’t have my left hand both. It’s sobering.” He additionally added that he was anxious about his legs on the time.
Regardless of these challenges, the actor vowed to proceed working and instructed AND! Information“I’m going to journey this ’til the wheels fall off. I really feel nice after I’m at work. After all, there have been some type of setbacks, however I really feel fairly good. My spirit is at all times fairly buoyant, so on the finish of the day, that’s all that issues.”
In late 2025, Gayheart revealed in a private essay for The Reduce that Dane had 24/7 nursing care to assist handle the development of ALS, a milestone she fought to safe by means of a number of insurance coverage appeals. When nurse shifts have been unavailable, Gayheart — together with mates — stepped in to cowl caregiving duties.
The next yr, Eric needed to again out of an ALS occasion on the final minute in January 2026 because of the “because of the bodily realities of ALS” and never feeling “nicely sufficient to attend,” the ALS Community stated, per Individuals.
On February 19, 2026, Eric died.
What Is ALS?
ALS, a.okay.a amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s illness is a illness within the nerve system that impacts cells within the mind and spinal twine, inflicting lack of muscle management over time, per Mayo Clinic. The illness sometimes begins with twitching and/or weak spot in muscular tissues, bother swallowing or slurred speech.
Is There a Treatment for ALS?
There’s presently no recognized remedy for ALS.
Can You Die From ALS?
Sure, ALS is taken into account a deadly illness. Subsequently, a affected person dwelling with it sometimes dies after the illness progresses to a sure level.