In recent updates, Eric Dane passed away on February 19, 2026, at the age of 53. The actor is known for his memorable roles in projects like Grey’s Anatomy, The Last Ship, and HBO’s Euphoria. Fans can’t picture their favourite star gone, as he left a lasting impression on us. His demise was caused after a 10-month-long battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a diagnosis he went public with in April 2025. Read to know more about it here.
About Eric Danes, ALS
For the unversed, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), aka Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a terminal neurodegenerative disorder that attacks motor neurons. The particular nerve cell is found in the brain and the spinal cord, with a function to control voluntary muscle movement. If these neurons weaken or die, one’s brain loses its ability to initiate and control muscle action, leading to complications in tasks like walking and talking, and even progressive paralysis. Eventually, it also affects the ability to breathe and takes life of patients from respiratory failure when the muscle supporting the lungs fails.
This also might have been a case for Eric Danes, though there has been no confirmation. Dane was diagnosed with ALS in early 2025 after he experienced symptoms of the disease, like weakness in his right hand, which he initially thought was fatigue. But in April 2025, the actor formally shared his diagnosis with PEOPLE, and two months later, on the Good Morning America interview, he had completely lost function of his right arm and hand.
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In September–October 2025, Eric became completely dependent on a wheelchair for movement. His speech became noticeably slurred, and, due to his weak limbs, he suffered a fall in the kitchen, which caused him to miss the 2025 Emmy Awards.
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