Eric Dane Shares He Has “One Functioning Arm” Amid ALS Battle

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Eric Dane is detailing the devastating effects that ALS has had on his body.

The former star of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, who announced recently that he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or as it is commonly known, Lou Gehrig’s disease, has disclosed that only one of his arms remains functional due to the degenerative condition that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to progressive muscle weakness and eventual paralysis.

In the Good Morning America interview with Diane Sawyer on June 16th, Dane shared that while his left side is still functioning, his right side has completely stopped working. He added that he fears that within a couple of months, he might also lose his left hand. This realization, he said, is quite sobering.

The 52-year-old individual, who has Billie (age 15) and Georgia (age 13) with his spouse Rebecca Gayheart, later elaborated on the initial signs of their condition and the prolonged journey towards receiving a definitive diagnosis.

The 52-year-old, father of Billie (15) and Georgia (13) alongside wife Rebecca Gayheart, went into detail about the first symptoms they experienced and the lengthy process leading to a diagnosis.

He mentioned that he began noticing a feeling of weakness in his right hand. Initially, he didn’t give it much thought; he assumed it could be due to excessive texting or hand tiredness. However, after a few weeks, he noticed the condition worsening.

Dane explained, “First, I consulted with one hand specialist, who referred me to another. Likewise, I visited a neurologist who also referred me to another, stating that the situation was beyond their expertise.

In the end, it was revealed to him that he had ALS, creating a bizarre sense of reality for the actor from Euphoria.

Dane remarked, “Those three letters are something I can never forget. They are always on my mind as soon as I open my eyes. They aren’t a figment of my imagination.

Following his admission of being concerned about losing mobility in his legs, he recounted a chilling incident from a boat trip with one of his daughters. In this incident, they both jumped into the water together, and at that moment, he suddenly found himself unable to swim any longer.

In that instant, it struck me that I could no longer ensure my safety in the water, Dane said, looking back. She pulled me towards the boat, and I found myself weeping uncontrollably.

I expressed my deep sorrow and shared that I am utterly devastated by this ordeal, as it weighs heavily on my heart. I find myself increasingly resentful of my health predicament, for fear of the toll it may take on my daughters’ lives.

Speaking as one who experienced the heartache of losing my father at a tender age due to his tragic suicide, I find myself grappling with an unsettling reality – there’s a high likelihood that I might be separated from my daughters while they’re still young. Ultimately, all I yearn for is to share precious moments with my loved ones and contribute a bit to our life, if it’s within my reach.

Regarding Gayheart, who sought to end their 2018 divorce proceedings in March, the actor expressed that their challenging recent times have actually made their connection stronger.

In response to Sawyer’s question about whom he reaches out to in tough times, Dane replied emotionally, “I usually talk to Rebecca. We’ve grown closer over time, and now we’re not just friends, but also each other’s confidants. She’s my strongest advocate, my steadfast backer, and someone I rely on heavily.

Keep reading for more on their relationship…

Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart haven’t disclosed the details of their initial encounter, although Dane himself described it as likely “one of the most ordinary tales around.

He recounted to Flaunt magazine in 2008 that it roughly transpired like this: “Were you thinking of going out?” He replied affirmatively. “Absolutely,” was his response. A decade later, we found ourselves exchanging wedding vows.

Less than one year after they began dating, the couple exchanged vows in Las Vegas. 

Following Dan’s revelation that he was departing from the TNT series The Last Ship because of his struggle with depression, Gayheart expressed her solidarity on Instagram for her spouse.

“Way back when I met my Monday man crush,” Gayheart captioned a throwback photo of the couple. 

In her divorce filing, Gayheart stated that the couple had unresolvable disagreements leading to their separation. She requested spousal support and joint legal and physical custody of their daughters, Billie and Georgia.

14 years of shared life led us to conclude that it’s in the best interest of our family for us to part ways, which we announced in a joint statement to TopMob News. We will maintain our friendship and work collaboratively to co-parent our two precious daughters, who hold a special place in both our hearts.

Despite their divorce not being officially finalized, Dane shared that he and his former partner remained friends and excellent co-parents. He emphasized this point when he spoke with Entertainment Tonight in 2019, stating, “We have two children together. It’s not a complicated situation…it doesn’t need to be.

A full ten years following the controversial incident where a video featuring Kari Ann Peniche, the ex-Miss Teen USA, being published on the internet, gained widespread attention, Dane finally spoke about the scandal during an uncommon interview.

He frequently reflects on his previous response and, considering it now, he insists there was no error in it. He clarified this to Glamour, who previously labeled the situation as a misstep. “With three adults involved, one of them being my spouse, I wasn’t engaging in anything improper.

He clarified that his earlier statements were probably hinting at the drug references implied in the video.

The Grey’s Anatomy alum added, “Was that an error? I’m not convinced I was violating any rules or influencing anyone negatively,” they stated. “It was merely the three of us enjoying a soak in the tub.

He summarized by saying, “I don’t have any regrets about my life experiences, and I stand by them without reservation. My experiences are mine, and I am content with everything that has happened.

Following the release of the recording in 2009, the pair found themselves compelled to act. Consequently, they initiated a lawsuit for copyright infringement, claiming $1 million, against Gawker Media and, according to reports, eventually reached a settlement worth more than six figures.

Initially, speculations about their reunion surfaced when the duo vacationed together as a quartet in Europe. The actress known for “Jawbreaker” posted pictures from the trip, which included Dane posing goofily for the camera alongside their daughters.

“This is us,” Gayheart captioned the Instagram post. “Family vacay 2022.”

In another snapshot during their European travels, the quartet posed cheerfully on the lively Parisian streets. She captioned the photo on Instagram saying, “A brief halt in Paris!

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I led my companions on an adventure along the stunning coastline, eventually reaching the vibrant town of St. Tropez. Throughout our voyage, I captured moments of our journey and shared them on my Instagram Stories, offering a sneak peek into our experiences. In one particularly cherished image, I affectionately referred to my group as “my people,” accompanied by a photo of us and a dear friend.

While she filed for divorce in 2018, Dane and Gayheart kicked off the New Year as one big family.

During a family vacation, an actor from the show “Euphoria” and a former cast member of “Beverly Hills, 90210” were spotted strolling hand-in-hand ashore after disembarking from a boat, accompanied by their two daughters.

Gayheart filed to dismiss her divorce petition, seven years after submitting the papers.

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2025-06-16 17:18