Eric Dane Gets Standing Ovation on Brilliant Minds Set Amid ALS Battle

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Eric Dane’s latest role is just what the doctor ordered.

Despite his ongoing struggle with ALS, former Grey’s Anatomy actor made a recent appearance on Brilliant Minds. He played a firefighter character who, like himself, lives with the disease, in the November 24th episode.

Series creator Michael Grassi shared that an actor’s performance in one scene of the NBC medical drama deeply touched the show’s crew, creating a special moment behind the scenes.

Michael told USA Today that in all his years working in the industry, he’d never witnessed anything like the 10-minute standing ovation the actor received after filming that particular scene. He described the performance as beautiful, honest, and incredibly realistic.

You won’t BELIEVE how much of Eric’s own life made it into the show! After he bravely shared his ALS diagnosis, he actually worked with the writers on his character, Michael. It was so moving – when Michael’s family faced a health scare on the show, Eric shared what it’s really like when something like that happens, how it changes everything with the people you love. It felt so real and honest because it was.

The showrunner said there isn’t one correct approach to the situation. They discussed how to handle challenges – how to communicate needs, and how to allow others to help, which is something many people struggle with daily, both in life and in the context of the show. It was a topic the showrunner and a key person involved were actively working through at the time.

While Eric, 53, battles an incurable neurological disease privately, Michael emphasized how powerfully his acting will resonate with audiences.

Michael noted that while his character discovers courage, Eric also demonstrated significant bravery by sharing his personal story. He emphasized that being so open and vulnerable is important for raising awareness and helping others realize they aren’t isolated in their experiences.

Eric has been getting support from his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, and their daughters, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13, despite their ongoing separation. Rebecca, known for her role on Beverly Hills, 90210, recently shared how she’s trying to be a good role model for her daughters during this difficult time with Eric, who is known for Euphoria.

She explained on the November 17th episode of the Broad Ideas with Rachel Bilson and Olivia Allen podcast that their priority is to always support people, through thick and thin. She emphasized that he’s family – their father – and they are committed to navigating challenges with respect and composure, doing their best to cope and move forward together.

To learn more about Eric’s ALS journey, in his own words, keep reading.

Eric Dane revealed he received an ALS diagnosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in April 2025.

Dane shared with People magazine that he’s been diagnosed with ALS. He expressed gratitude for the support of his family as they face this new challenge together.

Despite his diagnosis, the Euphoria actor confirmed he wasn’t retiring from acting. He announced in April 2025 that he was still filming the last season of the HBO show.

Dane, whose new Amazon MGM Studios series Countdown premiered this summer, shared that acting has helped him stay mentally focused while dealing with health challenges.

He told TopMob News in June 2025 that he generally enjoys his job. While there have been challenges, he maintains a positive attitude, which he feels is the most important thing.

Two months after revealing he had been diagnosed, the former Grey’s Anatomy star openly discussed his experience, including the signs that first led him to seek medical attention.

In June 2025, Dane shared with Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America that he first noticed weakness in his right hand. He didn’t think much of it initially, assuming it was just from texting too much or general tiredness. However, a few weeks later, he realized the weakness was getting worse.

After nine months of doctor’s visits – seeing two hand specialists and two neurologists – Dane received a diagnosis of ALS.

The father of two said he’ll never be able to erase those three letters from his mind. They’re the first thing he thinks about each morning, and it feels all too real – not like a dream at all.

He explained how the rare disease has already impacted his physical health and also shared his expectations for how it will progress in the future.

I recently spoke with Dane, and he shared a really vulnerable update with me. He explained that the left side of his body is still working, but unfortunately, the right side has completely lost function. He’s bracing himself for the possibility of losing function in his left hand too, maybe in just a couple of months. It’s a truly humbling and sobering situation, and he’s sharing his experience with incredible honesty.

After more than 20 years of marriage, Rebecca Gayheart has been supporting her husband, Dane, through his recent health challenges. She had previously filed for divorce in 2018, but dismissed the case in March.

During his interview with Sawyer, Dane explained that he speaks with Rebecca daily. They’ve grown closer as friends and parents, and he considers her his greatest advocate and someone he relies on heavily.

According to Gayheart, she and Dane are the “best of friends.”

The Beverly Hills, 90210 star told TopMob News on April 9, 2025, that they have a strong co-parenting relationship. They’ve found a way to successfully maintain a family dynamic, which they believe is positively impacting both their children and themselves.

Dane has been celebrating achievements with his daughters, Billie and Georgia, but he’s also shared that he struggles with how his ALS is impacting his family.

The actor shared during an interview with GMA that he’s struggling with the fact his father died when he was a child, and now faces the possibility of being separated from his own daughters at a young age. Ultimately, he simply wants to be with his family and continue working when he can.

Dane was scheduled to present at the 2025 Emmys with his Grey’s Anatomy colleague, Jesse Williams, on September 14th, but he couldn’t make it. He later revealed that he had to miss the show due to a hospital stay a few weeks prior.

In an interview with The Washington Post published on October 2nd, he revealed he was hospitalized getting stitches while others were at the Emmys, explaining, “ALS is a terrible disease.”

“I was a really upset about it,” Dane added. “But you know, there was nothing I could do about it.”

I was so inspired to hear that Dane met with doctors and people from I Am ALS back in September 2025! He even had a chance to talk with Congressman Eric Swalwell about getting more federal funding for ALS research. It means so much to me, and to everyone in the ALS community, that he’s advocating for a cure for this devastating disease.

In a TikTok video posted on September 29th, Dane told Representative Swalwell, “I want to experience all of life’s milestones. I have two daughters and hope to see them graduate college, get married, and maybe even have grandchildren.”

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2025-11-25 19:52