Photo Credit: Getty Images
Eric Dane, best known for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey's Anatomy and currently starring in Euphoria, has opened up about his ongoing battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The actor, 52, revealed his diagnosis in April and has since become an outspoken advocate for greater awareness, research, and funding for the disease.
On September 29, Dane traveled to Washington, D.C. alongside representatives from the nonprofit I AM ALS. Joined by advocates including Andrea Goodman, Dustin Watson, Dan Tate, and Jack Silva, he met with lawmakers such as U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone and Rep. Eric Swalwell to push for the reauthorization of the ACT for ALS law, which is set to expire in 2026. The legislation, signed in 2021, provides grant programs for research into neurodegenerative diseases like ALS.
In a TikTok video shared by Swalwell, Dane described the challenges patients face. "ALS is the last thing they want to diagnose anybody with," he said. "It so often takes all this time for these people to be diagnosed. Well, then it precludes them from being part of these clinical trials. That's why ACT for ALS is so great because it broadens the access for everybody."
Seated beside the congressman, Dane also shared the personal motivation driving him. "I have two daughters at home. I wanna see them graduate college, get married, maybe have grandkids. I wanna be there for all that. So, I'm gonna fight until the last breath on this one." He and actress Rebecca Gayheart, his wife of nearly two decades, share daughters Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13.
This was Dane's first public appearance since missing the 2025 Emmy Awards, where he had been scheduled to present. Seen in a motorized wheelchair, his determination remained unwavering. When asked by a photographer what message he wanted to send, Dane quietly replied with encouragement for fans to "hold on to their faith."
Gayheart has spoken candidly about how the diagnosis has affected their family. "We're just trying to have some hope and do it with dignity, grace and love," she told PEOPLE. "My girls are really suffering, and we're just trying to get through it. It's a tough time."
Despite the difficult prognosis, Dane continues to work and advocate. Partnering with I AM ALS, he recently helped launch the "Push for Progress" campaign, which aims to raise $1 billion for research over the next three years.
