Eric Dane, the actor widely recognized for his standout television roles in Grey’s Anatomy and HBO’s Euphoria, has died at 53 following a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a statement shared by his family. Loved ones said Dane faced the disease with determination and kept his focus on the people closest to him. They noted he spent his final days surrounded by his wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart, and their two daughters, Billie and Georgia.
What ALS Is—and Why It’s So Devastating ALS—often called Lou Gehrig’s disease—is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. As those nerve cells stop working, muscles gradually weaken and lose function. Over time, ALS can impact walking, speaking, eating, and breathing, making it one of the most challenging conditions a person and family can face.
