Eric Dane revealed he has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
The “Grey’s Anatomy” star, 52, shared the stunning announcement Thursday in a statement to People.
“I have been diagnosed with ALS,” Dane told the outlet. “I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.”
Together with wife Rebecca Gayheart, 53, Dane has two children, Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13.
“I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to set of EUPHORIA next week,” he added. “I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time.”
Dane is among the cast members who will reprise their roles on the HBO hit drama’s third season, which began filming in January after years of delays. (The Season 2 finale of “Euphoria” aired a little over 3 years ago, on February 27, 2022.)
Dane has played Cal Jacobs, the father of Jacob Elordi’s character, Nate Jacobs, since Season 1.
He will begin filming his scenes for Season 3 of the Sam Levinson-created series on April 14, People reported.
A rare degenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, ALS causes progressive loss of muscle control. It is often called Lou Gehrig’s disease after the famed baseball player who suffered from the condition.
It is not clear what causes ALS, though a small number of cases are inherited, according to The Mayo Clinic.
Early symptoms often include twitching and weakness in an arm or leg, trouble swallowing or slurred speech. The fatal disease ultimately paralyzes the muscles needed to move, speak, eat and breathe.
There is no known cure for ALS.
People battling the disease typically live between three and five years after diagnosis, according to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, though some patients can live decades.
In his statement, Dane did not share when he was diagnosed.
Other celebrated individuals who have suffered from ALS include Stephen Hawking, Aaron Lazar, John Driskell Hopkins, Eric Stevens, Joe Bonsall, Roberta Flack and Kenneth Mitchell.
In January, Dane and Gayheart called off their impending divorce, seven years after the “Jawbreaker” star filed to end their union.
The pair tied the knot in October 2004 in Las Vegas.
Even in the midst of their separation, Gayheart and Dane remained close, frequently seen shopping together and even going on a European vacation with their kids in 2022.
Speaking of his love for his daughters in a 2020 interview with People Dane said, “I never had a family, and now I do.
“I know I’m a very lucky guy.”
