Eric Dane, best known for his roles on Euphoria and Grey’s Anatomy, revealed in April 2025 that he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease. Less than a year later, he died on February 19, 2026, at the age of 53.
After revealing his diagnosis, the actor continued working when possible and used his public platform to advocate for research and support for people living with ALS.
In late September 2025, Eric traveled to Washington, D.C. with the nonprofit I Am ALS to meet with lawmakers and push for the reauthorization of the ACT for ALS — federal legislation that provides research funding and access to novel treatments. During those meetings, he spoke about the urgency of expanding support for patients and told advocates he plans to “fight to the last breath” for progress.
Alongside his advocacy work, Dane’s family life remained central. He shared two daughters, Billie and Georgia, with his wife, Rebecca Gayheart; their family worked to navigate his health journey together, with Gayheart opening up about how they shared the diagnosis with their children and continued to support one another day by day.
To learn more about Eric, his career and his illness, keep reading.
Who Was Eric Dane?
Eric was known for quite a few film and TV roles, but his most recent one is playing Cal Jacobs in HBO’s hit series Euphoria. Among his most famous previous roles were playing Mark Sloan in Grey’s Anatomy and Captain Tom Chandler in The Last Ship.
The San Francisco native also appeared in the shows Saved By the Bell, The Wonder Years, Gideon’s Crossing, Charmed, Private Practice and Wireless.
How Old Was Eric Dane When He Died?
Eric was 53 years old as of February 2026. He was born on November 9, 1972.
Eric Dane’s Health
In April 2025, Eric told People about his diagnosis with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
“I have been diagnosed with ALS,” the actor revealed. “I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter. I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to set of Euphoria next week. I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time.”
The diagnosis quickly became more visible in Dane’s life, most notably during the 2025 Emmys, when he was hospitalized and unable to present. In an interview with The Washington Post, Dane explained the reason for his absence, saying, “ALS is a nasty disease. So I was in the hospital during the Emmys getting stitches put in my head.”
He added, “I missed an opportunity I was really looking forward to. It would have been great to see Jesse and get reunited with some of my peers, and to be able to present in front of my colleagues, I thought would have been a special moment. So I was really upset about it, but you know, there was nothing I could do about it.”
How Did ALS Cause Eric Dane’s Death?
Dane was candid about the progression of his disease during his final months. He also shared that he lost use of his right arm and was experiencing weakness in his left.
“I have one functioning arm. My dominant side. My left side is functioning, my right side has completely stopped working,” he shared with Good Morning America. “It’s going. I feel like maybe a couple, few more months, and I won’t have my left hand either. It’s sobering.” He also added that he was worried about his legs at the time.
Despite these challenges, the actor vowed to continue working and told E! News, “I’m going to ride this ’til the wheels fall off. I feel great when I’m at work. Of course, there have been some sort of setbacks, but I feel pretty good. My spirit is always pretty buoyant, so at the end of the day, that’s all that matters.”
In late 2025, Gayheart revealed in a personal essay for The Cut that Dane had 24/7 nursing care to help manage the progression of ALS, a milestone she fought to secure through multiple insurance appeals. When nurse shifts were unavailable, Gayheart — along with friends — stepped in to cover caregiving duties.
The following year, Eric had to back out of an ALS event at the last minute in January 2026 due to the “due to the physical realities of ALS” and not feeling “well enough to attend,” the ALS Network said, per People.
On February 19, 2026, Eric died.
What Is ALS?
ALS, a.k.a amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease is a disease in the nerve system that affects cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control over time, per Mayo Clinic. The disease typically begins with twitching and/or weakness in muscles, trouble swallowing or slurred speech.
Is There a Cure for ALS?
There is currently no known cure for ALS.
Can You Die From ALS?
Yes, ALS is considered a fatal disease. Therefore, a patient living with it typically dies after the disease progresses to a certain point.