Eric Dane Opens Up About His ALS Journey and the Importance of Sharing His Story

Eric Dane in ‘Brilliant Minds’.
Credit :

Pief Weyman/NBC

NEED TO KNOW

• Eric Dane exclusively revealed in April that he has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
• The actor made his first on-screen appearance since his diagnosis in a November episode of Brilliant Minds.
• Dane discussed his experience on the show and living with ALS during a virtual panel organized by I AM ALS.

Eric Dane is emphasizing the significance of discussing his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in light of his recent experiences.

Shortly after appearing in an episode of Brilliant Minds as Matthew, a firefighter grappling with his ALS diagnosis, Dane opened up about his journey. This marked his first on-screen role since revealing his condition in April.

In a virtual panel featuring co-founders of I AM ALS, Brian Wallach and Sandra Abrevaya, as well as showrunner Michael Grassi and writer Dr. Daniela Lamas, Dane reflected on portraying an ALS patient and shared insights about living with the disease.

Eric Dane.

Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty

Dane expressed the emotional complexity of his performance, stating that separating his personal experience from that of his character was challenging, yet he felt “grateful” for the cathartic nature of the experience.

“I have no reason to be in a good spirit at any time, on any given day. I don’t think anybody would blame me if I crawled under the sheets for two weeks,” he said. “I was surprised to realize that I’m not built like that,” he added, noting a resilience he didn’t expect.

Finding a “buoyant spirit in the face of something so horrible” has been encouraging for Dane. He views his role on the show as a unique opportunity to share his journey, emphasizing that he feels his life is about more than himself now.