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Actor Eric Dane, known for his roles in Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, has publicly shared details regarding his health over the years, most recently disclosing an ALS diagnosis. The celebrated television star revealed his diagnosis on Thursday, April 10, in a statement. This candid admission follows prior acknowledgments of his battles with prescription drug dependency and depression, showcasing his openness about personal health challenges.
Eric Dane Discloses ALS Diagnosis
The Grey’s Anatomy and Charmed veteran, 52, confirmed his ALS diagnosis via a statement released to People on Thursday, April 10. “I have received an ALS diagnosis. I am thankful for the support of my family as we begin this new phase,” Dane stated.
The Euphoria personality, married to Rebecca Gayheart and father to daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13, has previously been forthcoming about seeking treatment for both prescription drug addiction and episodes of depression.
Continue reading for a look at Dane’s past statements regarding his health journey:
Navigating ALS
On Thursday, April 10, Dane made public his ALS diagnosis, expressing gratitude for his continued ability to work, including his upcoming return to the set for season 3 of Euphoria the following week.
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“I am grateful to be able to continue my professional commitments and am eager to get back to filming Euphoria next week,” he conveyed in his statement to People. “I respectfully request privacy for my family and myself during this period.”
Journey to Sobriety
Back in July 2011, while starring in Grey’s Anatomy, Dane’s representative communicated to E! News that the actor had “voluntarily admitted himself into a rehabilitation center to manage pain medication dependency, stemming from a sports injury incurred during his recent hiatus.”
During a June 2024 interview on the “Armchair Expert” podcast, Dane reflected on his path to sobriety, acknowledging, “Considering my eight-year tenure on Grey’s Anatomy, I was impaired for a greater duration than I was sober, and that’s when my difficulties truly began.”
Dane recounted being sober for three to four years prior to joining Grey’s Anatomy in 2006. However, he relapsed as he grappled with the sudden surge of fame associated with his iconic role as McSteamy, compounded by body image concerns.
“It felt overwhelming, and I believe I tried to downplay it, pretending to be at ease with the situation. I tried to act like I was accustomed to it, even though I was not,” he stated, as reported by the Daily Mail.
In the same interview, Dane revealed regarding his departure from Grey’s Anatomy at the start of season 9 in 2012, “It wasn’t exactly leaving as much as I think I was dismissed.” He admitted, “My struggles were evident. While it wasn’t the direct cause for their decision, it certainly didn’t help matters.”
Battling Depression
In April 2017, Dane’s representative verified that production for his TNT series, The Last Ship, was temporarily suspended to allow the actor to address his depression.
“Eric requested a recess to address personal matters. He is experiencing depression and has asked for a few weeks of respite, a request kindly granted by the producers. He anticipates returning,” his representative informed Variety at the time.
Later that year, in July, Dane openly discussed his mental health challenges during an interview on the Today show.
“I took some time off — I was managing some depression, which was somewhat bewildering to me,” he disclosed, according to People. “I felt a strong sense of internal conflict because I didn’t believe I had any reason to be depressed.”
WATCH: “I felt very conflicted because I couldn’t figure out what I was depressed about.” @RealEricDane opens up about depression pic.twitter.com/XvVcSVuZlc
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) July 31, 2017
“It was quite alarming, waking up with a profound lack of motivation to start the day,” he elaborated. “I consulted with medical professionals, suspecting a physical ailment, as I had never experienced such feelings before.”
“I had encountered depression intermittently throughout my life, but it had always been manageable,” Dane added. “This felt drastically different, hitting me unexpectedly. I needed to take a break, so I sought treatment, addressed it, and now I am feeling significantly better.”
Dane encouraged his audience to “pay attention to their body,” emphasizing, “It’s a genuinely serious condition. As I mentioned, I felt deeply conflicted because I couldn’t pinpoint a cause for my depression. Yet, its impact is undeniable.”