Eric Dane suffered ALS-related fall that left him hospitalized

Eric Dane was set for a major comeback moment at the 2025 Emmys—joining his Grey’s Anatomy castmates for a long-awaited 20th-anniversary reunion. But when the curtain rose, “McSteamy” was nowhere to be seen. The reason? The same “nasty disease” he’s been fighting with courage and honesty: ALS.

Just days before the ceremony, the 52-year-old actor suffered a fall at home—one of the devastating side effects of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the progressive neurological disease that affects muscle control. He was rushed to the hospital for stitches, forcing him to miss what he called a moment he’d been “really looking forward to.”

Fans know Dane best as the charismatic Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy and for his acclaimed role in Euphoria. But in April 2025, he revealed a heartbreaking diagnosis: “I have been diagnosed with ALS,” he told People. He thanked his wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart, and their daughters, Billie and Georgia, for their unwavering love, asking the public for privacy as they faced the challenge together.

ALS is an unforgiving disease. It gradually strips away the ability to move, speak, and eventually even breathe. While some live only a few years after diagnosis, others—like the late Stephen Hawking—manage to defy the odds for decades.

When speaking to Diane Sawyer weeks later, Dane revealed how quickly his condition had progressed. “At first, I thought maybe I’d been texting too much,” he said. “Then I noticed my right hand wasn’t working anymore. It’s sobering. But I don’t think this is the end of my story.”

And he meant it. In June, he told E! News that he planned to keep working for as long as he could. “I’m going to ride this ’till the wheels fall off,” he said. “It keeps me sharp and moving forward. I feel good when I’m at work.”

By September, as Grey’s Anatomy prepared its big reunion segment for the Emmys, Dane was set to present alongside co-star Jesse Williams. But after losing his balance and hitting his head in a fall, he found himself watching from a hospital bed instead of the stage. “ALS is a nasty disease,” he admitted. “I was really upset to miss it—but there was nothing I could do.”

Even through the pain, Dane has shifted his focus outward—using his platform to raise awareness and help others facing neurodegenerative diseases. “If I’m going out,” he said, “I’m going out helping somebody.”

For fans who once saw him as the confident, unbreakable “McSteamy,” this new chapter reveals something even more powerful: quiet, unshakable strength. Eric Dane’s journey is more than a celebrity story—it’s a reminder of how fragile life can be, and how courage can shine brightest in its hardest moments.