On Monday’s broadcast of Good Morning America, actor Eric Dane, best known for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy, shared a deeply personal and emotional moment with ABC News anchor Diane Sawyer in an exclusive interview. The 52-year-old actor revealed his recent diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease. Dane spoke candidly about the challenges of facing this life-altering condition, his journey to process the news, and his determination to raise awareness for ALS research. The heartfelt conversation highlighted Dane’s resilience and his commitment to cherishing time with his family, while also shedding light on the urgent need for advancements in treatment and support for those affected by the disease.
Eric Dane opens up to Diane Sawyer
Eric Dane opened up about the initial symptoms of his illness, sharing with Sawyer: “I started experiencing some weakness in my right hand, and I didn’t really think anything of it at the time. I thought maybe I’d been texting too much and my hand was fatigued. A few weeks later, I noticed it had gotten a little worse. So, I went and saw a hand specialist, who sent me to another hand specialist. I went to a neurologist, and the neurologist sent me to another neurologist, and [he] said, ‘This is way above my pay grade.'”
Dane recalled the moment he discovered his condition: “I will never forget those three letters. It’s on me the second I wake up…It’s not a dream.”
Dane described the physical toll ALS has taken on his body: “I have one functioning arm…My left side is functioning. My right side has completely stopped working…I feel like maybe a couple, few more months and I won’t have my left hand either. It’s sobering.”
When asked who he turns to in moments of sadness, Dane spoke about his bond with Rebecca Gayheart, from whom he was once separated: “I call Rebecca. I talk to her every day. We have managed to become better friends and better parents. And she is my, probably my biggest champion, my most stalwart supporter. And I lean on her.”
Despite the diagnosis, Dane expressed a sense of resilience: “I don’t think this is the end of my story. I just don’t feel like in my heart I don’t feel like this is the end of me. I’m fighting as much as I can. There’s so much about it that’s out of my control.”
When asked if he feels angry, he answered candidly: “Very. I’m angry because my father was taken from me when I was young. And now there’s a very good chance that I’ll be taken from my girls when they’re very young. I mean I really, at the end of the day, all I want is to just spend time with my family and work a little bit if I can.”
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