Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is more commonly often known as ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Grey’s Anatomy alum Eric Dane announced in April 2025 that he had been diagnosed with the nervous system disease.
“I even have been diagnosed with ALS,” the actor shared in a press release. “I’m grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.”
The actor was married to wife Rebecca Gayheart, with whom he shared two daughters.
“I feel fortunate that I’m in a position to proceed working and am looking forward to returning to [the] set of Euphoria next week,” he added. “I kindly ask that you just give my family and I privacy during this time.”
Dane died at age 53 in February 2026.
Keep scrolling for every little thing to learn about ALS:
What Is ALS?
ALS is “a nervous system disease that affects nerve cells within the brain and spinal cord,” in accordance with the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms include a lack of muscle control, which gets worse over time, making it a degenerative disease.
Why Is ALS Called Lou Gehrig’s Disease?
Other than its medical moniker, ALS has been nicknamed Lou Gehrig‘s disease due to the late MLB player who retired in 1939 due to the disease’s progression. Because he was a public figure, Gehrig’s diagnosis and eventual death resulting from ALS brought more awareness to the disease.
How Do You Get ALS?
The precise explanation for ALS remains to be unknown. Nonetheless, it has been widely reported that there may be a genetic component to the disease. “A small variety of cases are inherited,” the Mayo Clinic published.
Is There a Cure for ALS?
There’s currently no cure for ALS. Drugs have been created to slow the progression of the disease, which allows people to administer symptoms and live an extended life.
In keeping with the Mayo Clinic, probably the most common explanation for death for those diagnosed with ALS is respiration failure. While some persons are in a position to live 10 years or longer following the diagnosis, greater than half of those with ALS die inside 14 to 18 months.
Which Celebrities Have Spoken Out About an ALS Diagnosis?
Other than Dane and Gehrig, other stars have publicly shared their ALS battles. Stephen Hawking was diagnosed with ALS at age 21 and lived until age 76, dying in March 2018.
Singer Roberta Flack was diagnosed in a while in life, revealing in 2022 that she also had ALS, which made it hard for her to sing. She died this past February from a cardiac arrest at age 88.