Common signs of ALS as Grey's Anatomy star Eric Dane reveals diagnosis

Grey's Anatomy and Euphoria actor Eric Dane has opened up about his recent ALS diagnosis, a disease which isn’t widely known about.

You may remember the ALS challenge which occurred a few years ago, which saw celebrities and normal folk alike throwing an ice bucket over themselves and nominating another person to follow the challenge in a bid to both raise awareness and money for the condition.

However, years have passed, and many may for forgotten about what ALS actually is, and what it means for those who are diagnosed with the condition.

The actor, who is set to film the latest season of Euphoria next week, revealed his diagnoses via an interview with People.

Eric was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a rare motor neurone disease.

Eric Dane opened up about his diagnosis (Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)

His diagnosis comes just weeks after his wife, Rebecca Gayheart filed documents to dismiss their ongoing divorce proceedings after she attempted to end their 14-year marriage in February 2018.

Speaking about it, he said: "I have been diagnosed with ALS. I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.

"I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to set of Euphoria next week."

The Charmed actor married Rebecca Gayheart in 2004, and they both share two children, Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13.

His health battle is one that has been seen in the media before, with Sandra Bullock’s long-term partner, Bryan Randall died in 2023 after a private three-year battle with ALS.

According to the Mayo Clinic, ALS ‘is a nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord’ which causes a loss of muscle control and gets worse as time progresses.

Often known as Lou Gehrig's disease after being named after the baseball player who was diagnosed with it, the reason for the disease remains unknown, however there are risk factors such as being male, or genetic compositions.

The Mayo Clinic states that ALS ‘often begins with muscle twitching and weakness in an arm or leg, trouble swallowing or slurred speech’ before it affects the muscles that control movement, speech, eating and breathing'.

ALS us a nervous system disease (Getty Stock Image)

Symptoms of ALS typically vary from person to person as it all depends on which nerve cells are affected; however it often starts with muscle weakness that spreads and gets worse over time.

Symptoms of ALS include having trouble walking or doing usual daily activities, tripping and falling, experiencing weakness in the legs, feet or ankles, hand weakness or clumsiness, slurred speech or trouble swallowing, weakness associated with muscle cramps and twitching in the arms, shoulders and tongue, untimely crying, laughing or yawning and thinking or behavioral changes.

Sadly, the condition is fatal.

Fans of the actor have shown an outpouring of support since his diagnosis.

On X, one fan wrote: "Eric Dane being diagnosed with ALS ruined my week..."

Another commented: "Gutted to hear about Eric Dane. Sending him and all those that love him strength."

Someone else wrote: "Eric Dane getting diagnosed w a terminal illness was not on my 2025 bingo card I'm actually gonna cry."

Lastly, another said: "This is awful. Thinking of Eric Dane and his family. McSteamy forever."