Everything Eric Dane said about his ALS battle before his death at age 53

Two months after going public with his battle with ALS, Dane appeared in a sit-down interview with Good morning America broadcast on June 16, 2025.

In the interview, he confirmed that he had begun to experience “some weakness” in his right hand before his diagnosis.

“I didn’t really think about it at the time. I thought maybe I was texting too much or my hand was tired, but a few weeks later I noticed it got a little worse,” he said at the time.

The Grey’s anatomy alum underwent tests and had consultations with two hand specialists and two neurologists. After nine months he learned he had ALS.

“I will never forget those three letters,” he told correspondent Diane Sawyer. “It’s my fault as soon as I wake up. It’s not a dream.’

In the months after revealing his health condition, Dane reportedly lost the function of his right arm, which also left him concerned about losing his legs.

The disease further left him ‘heartbroken’ when he realized he no longer had the strength to swim during a trip with one of his daughters.

“She dragged me back to the boat,” recalls Dane, who was once a water polo player. “I was just heartbroken.”

After losing his father to suicide when he was 7 years old, Charmed alum expressed anger that ALS could also take him away from his daughters far too soon.

“And you know, there’s a very good chance that I’ll be taken from my girls while they’re still very young,” he continued.