Eric Dane, known for his roles in Grey’s Anatomy and Last Ship, has shared his family’s journey following his ALS diagnosis. The actor, aged 52, disclosed his ALS diagnosis in April, also known as motor neurone disease. His wife, Rebecca Gayheart, mentioned at Step Up’s 2025 Inspiration Awards that they are adapting to their “new normal” with the help of professional therapists. She expressed the challenges they are facing but emphasized their efforts to maintain hope, dignity, grace, and love during this difficult time.
In a statement, Eric Dane requested privacy for his family as they cope with his diagnosis. During an interview on Good Morning America with Diane Sawyer in June, he candidly discussed the harsh reality of living with ALS, acknowledging the daily reminder of his condition.
Rebecca Gayheart, who filed for divorce from Eric in 2018 but later reconciled, highlighted the devastating impact of ALS on their family. She expressed the difficulty of finding positive aspects in their situation and emphasized the need for a cure for this “horrible disease.”
Recently, Eric Dane partnered with the nonprofit I Am ALS to push for progress in finding a cure for ALS. In a video message, he stressed the urgency of accelerating research efforts and fundraising to reach their goal of one billion dollars over the next three years. He emphasized the importance of renewing the Act for ALS to provide treatments and advance towards curing the disease.
The Act for ALS legislation, enacted in 2021 and set to expire in 2026, aimed to allocate resources for treatments and a cure through the Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration.