Eric Dane Cried Sharing His ALS Diagnosis, Says Ex, Rebecca Gayheart, 'I Knew There Wasn't A Cure'

Eric Dane's health updates are becoming increasingly heartbreaking by the day. The Grey’s Anatomy star revealed his diagnosis with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) earlier in 2025 and has since faced the incurable disease with steady optimism. Throughout his battle, his estranged wife, Rebecca Gayheart, has remained actively involved in ensuring he receives the best possible care. The actress-model now recalls the devastating moment Dane called her from a doctor’s office, informing her about his diagnosis.

Rebecca Gayheart recalls the moment she learned about Eric Dane’s ALS diagnosis

In a new essay, titled "In Sickness and in Health," published in The Cut on December 29, 2025, Rebecca Gayheart shared poignant moments from her estranged husband’s health journey after his ALS diagnosis. The Jawbreaker star, who split from Eric Dane in September 2017, has remained close to the actor as they continue to co-parent their kids. Sharing the moment Dane called her with the devastating news, the actress wrote:

"When he told me that day, he just started weeping, as did I. It didn’t feel real because he was still okay."

Gayheart, 54, and Dane, 53, married in 2004 and became parents to two daughters, Billie and Georgia, now 15 and 13, respectively. The actress recalled being home with her youngest, Georgia, when she got the call, and had to hide in her closet to process her emotions in private. She shared:

"I was here at home with my youngest daughter — my home, that I share with just the girls, since Eric and I separated in September 2017 — and I’d gone into my closet to take the call, trying to be private. She was saying, 'Mommy, what’s wrong? What’s wrong?' I tried telling her, 'Honey, nothing. Everything’s fine,' because I couldn’t process it. I didn’t know all the details like I do now, but I knew enough about ALS to know that there wasn’t a cure."

The symptoms started a year before the diagnosis

Eric Dane had long been healthy, with few medical concerns, until subtle changes began to appear. In her essay, Gayheart recalled Dane fumbling with chopsticks and dropping food during family meals with their children. At the time, the signs went unexplained. Looking back, she now recognises them as early symptoms of ALS. Despite different initial diagnoses, the Euphoria star knew something was seriously wrong. Gayheart wrote:

“His symptoms started maybe a year prior. When we would have a meal with the kids, he’d say things like, 'Something’s wrong with my hand.' He was struggling to use his chopsticks, dropping his food. That was when he started seeing doctors. He was initially diagnosed with a few other things, but he had this sinking feeling that it was something more serious.”

Eric Dane admitted to 24/7 care

For the unversed, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that gradually damages the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Beginning with muscle weakness and stiffness, the body deteriorates, leading to paralysis, and eventually problems with swallowing and breathing. 

According to the latest update, Eric Dane has lost the ability to walk and is no longer able to use his right arm. His speech has become increasingly slurred, and he now requires round-the-clock care as the disease impacts his motor functions. Although Rebecca Gayheart has described their relationship as “super complicated,” she remains deeply involved in his care. When she cannot cover a full shift, close friends step in, with widespread support continuing to pour in.

As Rebecca Gayheart mentions in her essay, Dane now wants to “spend time with his family as much as possible, and I am committed to facilitating that.”

Read Next: Beyonce Net Worth: Queen Bey Makes It To The Billionaire List, How Did She Build The Empire?

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Get App

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Choose your device Android or IOS (Apple)