Eric Dane revealed the earliest warning sign that something was wrong with his health, which appeared nearly a year before he received his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the disease that claimed his life earlier this year.
The actor confirmed his ALS diagnosis publicly in April 2025, explaining that he had already been experiencing symptoms for approximately 18 months before making the announcement.
Dane died in February at the age of 53, just two months before audiences saw his final acting appearance in the third season of Euphoria.
Following his death, his family released a statement saying: “He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the centre of his world.
“Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight.”
In a forthcoming memoir completed before his death, the former Grey’s Anatomy actor recalled the first noticeable physical symptom that made him question whether something was happening to his body.
‘My hand tingles, and then my fingers feel numb’
In an extract from his memoir, My Book Of Days: A Memoir of Moments, Dane described an evening spent eating sushi with his daughters when he unexpectedly struggled to handle his chopsticks because his fingers had become ‘numb’.
“I’m eating sushi with my kids and suddenly I can’t work the chopsticks with my right hand. My hand tingles, and then my fingers feel numb,” he wrote.
At first, Dane did not consider the sensation particularly alarming. He believed it might simply be a ‘weird nerve thing’ caused by ‘texting too much’.
Although he attempted to ‘shake it off’ and continue with his usual activities, the unusual sensation returned not long afterward.
Recalling the second episode, he wrote: “Three weeks later, it happens again, only worse. I can’t grip the chopsticks at all.”
According to Dane, the worsening symptoms marked the beginning of a nine-month effort to understand what was happening, eventually leading doctors to diagnose him with ALS.
‘I’m not going anywhere’
Dane married fellow actor Rebecca Gayheart in 2004, and the couple welcomed two daughters, Georgia and Billie, who are now 14 and 16 years old, respectively. Gayheart filed for divorce in 2018 but later submitted paperwork in March 2025 requesting that the proceedings be dismissed.
In his autobiography, Dane recalled revealing his diagnosis to Gayheart, who reassured him of her continued support by saying: “I’m not going anywhere.”
Speaking with PEOPLE, Gayheart explained that Dane had initially felt uncertain about publishing his life story, particularly because the memoir also explores his struggles with addiction and aspects of their marriage.
‘It showed us his extraordinary strength every day’
However, Gayheart said she is ‘grateful’ that he eventually decided to write the book, believing it will give their daughters an opportunity to understand their father more deeply and ‘get to know their dad as a human being’ as they grow older.
She also recalled that, before his death, Dane made a commitment to spend as much time as possible with the people closest to him.
“We tried to be present through all of our fear and frustration and uncertainty,” says Gayheart.
“It was truly an exhausting and heartbreaking experience, but it also showed us his extraordinary strength every day, and that was really wonderful for the girls and myself to witness.”
My Book Of Days: A Memoir of Moments is scheduled for publication on 3 November.
What is ALS, and the signs to look out for
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most frequently occurring type of motor neurone disease (MND). This uncommon, life-limiting neurological illness progressively damages nerve cells within the brain and spinal cord.
Although individuals can develop ALS at any stage of life, the condition most commonly emerges during the later years of middle age.
According to The ALS Association, initial symptoms may develop in different areas of the body, including:
- The hands or arms
- The legs or feet
- The muscles responsible for speaking or swallowing
Some of the commonly reported early warning signs include:
- Frequent tripping or problems with walking
- Unexpectedly dropping objects
- Weakness or fatigue affecting the arms or legs
- Speech becoming slower or slurred
- Involuntary muscle twitching or cramping
- Uncontrollable episodes of laughing or crying
Because identifying ALS can be challenging and the diagnostic process may take considerable time, anyone experiencing concerning symptoms should seek medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional as early as possible.