Eric Dane Breaks Silence on ALS Diagnosis: “I’ll Fight to My Last Breath”
Actor Eric Dane, beloved for his roles in Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, has shared a deeply personal update about his battle with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) — and his determination to keep fighting.
The 52-year-old star revealed his diagnosis in April 2025 and has since emerged as a powerful voice in the fight against the devastating disease. This week, he took that fight directly to Washington, D.C., urging lawmakers to extend crucial protections for ALS patients.
Advocating for ACT for ALS
On September 29, Dane joined nonprofit I AM ALS in meetings with U.S. Representative Frank Pallone of New Jersey. The team included staff members Andrea Goodman and Dustin Watson, board member Dan Tate, and legislative co-chair Jack Silva. Together, they pushed for the reauthorization of the ACT for ALS, a law passed in 2021 that expands access to promising treatments and clinical trials. Without renewal, it is set to expire in 2026.
In a video shared by Representative Eric Swalwell of California, Dane spoke openly about the challenges patients face in receiving timely diagnoses.
“ALS is the last thing they want to diagnose anybody with,” Dane explained. “So often, it takes all this time for people to be diagnosed, and then it precludes them from being a part of these clinical trials. That’s why ACT for ALS is so great — it broadens the access for everybody.”
Fighting for His Family
Beyond politics, Dane’s motivation is deeply personal. He shares two daughters — Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13 — with his wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart.
“I have two daughters at home. I want to see them graduate college, get married, and maybe have grandkids. I want to be there for all that. So I’m going to fight to the last breath on this one,” he said with resolve.
Even in serious moments, Dane’s trademark humor shines through. When Swalwell asked what more he could do, Dane quipped: “Refill that espresso, maybe, I’m a little tired, man.”
A Billion-Dollar Push for Progress
On September 15, Dane partnered with I AM ALS to launch the Push for Progress campaign — an ambitious effort to raise $1 billion for ALS research over the next three years.
“I’m Eric, an actor, a father, and now a person living with ALS,” he said in an Instagram video, wearing a shirt that read I AM ALS. “For over a century, ALS has been incurable, and we’re done accepting the status quo. We need the fastest path to a cure, and that’s why I partnered with I AM ALS on the Push for Progress.”
Dane emphasized the urgent need for treatments and renewed laws: “Together, we’ll renew the landmark ACT for ALS, give promising treatments to thousands of patients like me, and finally push towards ending this disease.”
What Is ACT for ALS?
Passed in 2021, the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act provides funding for treatment research and expands access to clinical trials for patients facing neurodegenerative diseases. Its renewal could mean life-saving opportunities for thousands.
A Star’s Brave New Chapter
Eric Dane’s battle with ALS is not just a personal fight — it’s a call to action for lawmakers, medical leaders, and fans alike. With his family by his side and his voice now louder than ever, Dane is determined to make every breath count.
“I’m going to fight to the last breath,” he declared — and his courage is inspiring millions to join him in the push for progress.
