Eric Dane reveals fall due to ALS made him miss Emmys

Show Caption Hide Caption ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Eric Dane has been diagnosed with ALS ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a degenerative disorder that slowly results in the loss of the ability to walk, speak, swallow, and, ultimately, breathe independently. unbranded – Entertainment

Eric Dane is opening up about his ongoing battle with ALS.

The “Grey’s Anatomy” star, who revealed he was diagnosed with the degenerative neurological disease in April 2024, told the Washington Post in a new interview that he had missed a scheduled Emmys appearance in September due to unexpected hospitalization.

“ALS is a nasty disease. … So I was in the hospital during the Emmys getting stitches put in my head,” Dane, 52, told the outlet. He was slated to mark the “Grey’s” 20th anniversary alongside fellow series star Jesse Williams, the Post reports, but had fallen hard in his kitchen after losing balance shortly before the show. ALS can result in muscle twitching or rigidity.

“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,” Dane told the Post. “So I was a really upset about it, but you know, there was nothing I could do about it.”

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The actor, known popularly on the show as McSteamy, also shared his initial apprehension about sharing his diagnosis with the public.

“It wasn’t something I ever really wanted to do. It was something I felt like I had to do,” he told the outlet. “It was getting increasingly difficult to hide what was going on. And instead of letting people speculate what was happening, I just said it. … And I’ve never experienced a bigger outpouring of love and support than I have after I announced that.”

Dane has also used his diagnosis in recent months to push legislators for more funding to research treatment and cures for the disease. On June 23, he spoke at U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s hearing to discuss the plan by several health insurance companies to simplify and reduce prior authorizations.

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“I have been an open book about certain things in my life. This is something I felt compelled to share with people,” Dane told the Post. “I don’t really have a dog in the fight, per se, when it comes to worrying about what people are going think about me. This is more of a: ‘How can I help? How can I be of some service?’

“Not to be overly morbid,” he continued, “but you know, if I’m going out, I’m gonna go out helping somebody.”