02/20/2026
For many of us, Eric Dane will always be remembered as the confident, complicated surgeon on Grey’s Anatomy who helped define an era of television.
Later, he showed a very different side of himself in Euphoria.
He was taken far too young.
Eric Dane’s death from ALS is a reminder of how devastating this disease can be, even for people at the height of their lives and careers.
What is ALS?
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons, the nerve cells that control voluntary muscle movement.
How common is it?
ALS affects about 1–2 people per 100,000 each year. In the U.S., roughly 30,000 people are living with the disease at any given time.
Early symptoms can include:
• Muscle twitching or cramping
• Weakness in the hands, arms, or legs
• Slurred or slowed speech
• Difficulty with fine motor tasks
What happens over time:
ALS leads to progressive muscle weakness and paralysis. Sensation and thinking are often preserved, which makes the disease especially cruel for patients and families.
Treatment and outlook:
There is no cure. Current treatments may modestly slow progression and focus on comfort, function, and quality of life. Survival varies, but the average is 2–5 years after diagnosis.
Today is about remembering Eric Dane with respect, and about recognizing the very real people and families living with ALS every day.
