“On me the second I wake up”: Grey’s Anatomy's Eric Dane opens up about ALS diagnosis and what might come next

Eric Dane, widely known for playing Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy, has revealed he is living with ALS. In a deeply personal interview on Good Morning America, Dane described how the progressive disease has affected his body and outlook on life.

“It’s on me the second I wake up. It’s not a dream,” he said, sharing for the first time how his diagnosis has changed his daily reality.

ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a fatal neurodegenerative condition with no known cure. The 52-year-old actor explained that while his left side still works,

“My right side has completely stopped working.” He added, “I feel like maybe a couple more months and I won’t have my left hand either.”

Diagnosed in April after months of tests, Dane said the symptoms began subtly but quickly became serious. The Grey’s Anatomy star is still working, appearing in Euphoria and the upcoming Amazon Prime series Countdown, but he admitted the future is uncertain. Through all of it, he’s holding on to family, his career, and a belief that this is not the end.

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From subtle symptoms to diagnosis

According to Good Morning America, Eric Dane first noticed something was wrong a year and a half ago.

“I thought maybe I’d been texting too much or my hand was fatigued,” he told Diane Sawyer.

The weakness didn’t go away. He saw multiple hand specialists and eventually a neurologist.

“The neurologist sent me to another neurologist and said, ‘This is way above my pay grade,’” Dane recalled.

After nine months of testing, he received his diagnosis in April 2025. ALS affects the nerves that control muscles, eventually leading to paralysis. Dane said,

“I will never forget those three letters.” Today, he only has one functioning arm. “My left side is functioning.”

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Family support and personal fears

The Grey’s Anatomy star also spoke about how his condition has affected his relationship with his ex-wife, Rebecca Gayheart, and their daughters.

“We have managed to become better friends and better parents,” he said. “She is probably my biggest champion and my most stalwart supporter, and I lean on her.”

One moment during a family trip left a deep impact on him. While snorkeling with his daughter, Dane realized he didn’t have the strength to swim back.

“She dragged me back to the boat,” he said. “I was like, breaking down in tears. I made sure she got back to the water with her friend and continued on with the snorkeling. I was just heartbroken.”

He also shared the emotional weight of facing this illness as a father.

“I’m angry because my father was taken from me when I was young, and now there’s a very good chance I’m going to be taken from my girls when they’re very young,” Dane said.

His father died by suicide when Dane was just 7 years old.

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The Grey’s Anatomy star is still working, with limits

Despite the diagnosis, Dane continues to act. He’s set to return for Season 3 of Euphoria and will appear in the new series Countdown, debuting June 25 on Amazon Prime Video. In a separate interview with Variety, Dane said,

“I’m ready and willing to do just about anything,” though he acknowledged the limitations ALS imposes.

“I have limitations that I understand will preclude me from playing certain roles,” he said. “But I’m working on Euphoria. I finished Countdown. As far as that goes, I’m pretty capable.”

His work on Grey’s Anatomy made him a household name. Now, even as he confronts a life-changing diagnosis, the actor is showing resolve to keep moving forward.

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Not the end of the story

The Grey’s Anatomy star told Good Morning America that despite the uncertainty, he does not see ALS as the final chapter in his life.

“In my heart, I don’t feel like this is the end for me,” he said. “I’m fighting as much as I can. There’s so much about it that’s out of my control.”

He admitted to feeling “very” angry, but said he’s focused on the time he has and the people who are closest to him.

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Watch Grey’s Anatomy on Hulu.