Eric Dane Hospitalized After Fall Linked to ALS Complications Fans Send Prayers
Grey’s Anatomy star Eric Dane, beloved by fans as Dr. Mark “McSteamy” Sloan, was forced to miss this year’s Emmy Awards after suffering a fall related to his ALS diagnosis.
Dane, 52, was expected to join the Grey’s Anatomy cast on stage to celebrate the show’s 20th anniversary, but instead, he spent the evening in a hospital bed, receiving stitches for a head injury sustained in the fall.
“ALS is a nasty disease,” Dane told The Washington Post. “So I was in the hospital during the Emmys getting stitches put in my head.”
What Is ALS?
According to the ALS Association, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a rare, terminal neurodegenerative disorder that leads to the progressive loss of upper and lower motor neurons — the nerve cells responsible for voluntary muscle movement.
Over time, ALS can cause severe muscle weakness, difficulty speaking or swallowing, and, eventually, paralysis.
Dane first revealed his diagnosis to the public in April 2025, describing the disease as something that was “impossible to hide.”
“It wasn’t something I ever really wanted to do,” he said. “It was something I felt like I had to do. It was getting increasingly difficult to hide what was going on. And instead of letting people speculate, I just said it. And I’ve never experienced a bigger outpouring of love and support.”
Missing a Milestone Moment
Dane admitted that missing the Emmys was difficult, especially since it was meant to be a reunion with his former castmates — including Jesse Williams, who presented the award for Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series in Dane’s absence.
“It would have been great to see Jesse and get reunited with some of my peers,” Dane shared. “To present in front of my colleagues would have been a special moment. But there was nothing I could do about it.”
On the red carpet, Jesse Williams took a moment to honor his friend, calling him “strong” and “resilient.”
“He’s solid,” Williams told Entertainment Tonight. “We have to be careful, you know, as men, to take care of ourselves — and he’s got a perfect balance going.”
Raising Awareness and Hope
Since publicly disclosing his diagnosis, Eric Dane has become a powerful advocate for ALS awareness and research. In September 2025, he traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with U.S. Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and members of the nonprofit organization I AM ALS to promote the ACT for ALS — legislation that funds critical research into ALS and related neurodegenerative diseases.
In a TikTok shared by U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, Dane spoke candidly about the long, painful process of receiving an ALS diagnosis:
“ALS is the last thing they want to diagnose anybody with,” he explained. “So often, it takes so much time for these people to be diagnosed — and that delay keeps them from joining clinical trials.”
Finding Strength in Family
Despite the challenges, Dane remains grateful for his loved ones and optimistic about the future.
“I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter,” he told People. “I feel fortunate to still be able to work.”
Dane shared that he’s looking forward to returning to the set of HBO’s Euphoria to film the highly anticipated third season.
However, his condition continues to progress. In a June interview with Diane Sawyer, he revealed that only one arm remains functional.
“My left side is still working,” he said. “My right side has completely stopped. I feel like maybe in a couple more months, I won’t have my left hand either. It’s sobering.”
A Legacy of Strength
Fans and colleagues from around the world continue to send love and encouragement to the actor, whose resilience and transparency have inspired countless others living with ALS.
From his unforgettable portrayal of “McSteamy” on Grey’s Anatomy to his heartfelt advocacy, Eric Dane remains a symbol of strength, courage, and grace under pressure.
