In his final interview, , described amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) - the disease that tragically claimed his life at 53 on Thursday - as 'something so horrible.'
The actor's death was announced on Thursday, less than a year after he revealed that he had been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.
Dane continued to put on a brave face during difficult times, appearing on a virtual panel in December of 2025 for I AM ALS and Synapticure on Giving Tuesday.
He spoke about a role that he had on a , portraying a firefighter and hero named Matthew, who had a difficult time disclosing his ALS diagnosis to relatives.
Dane said he was 'grateful' for the role - in which he acted opposite Mädchen Amick, who played his wife - as it was a 'cathartic' experience to portray living with ALS.
Dane said it had been 'very encouraging' that his spirit remained 'buoyant ... in the face of something so horrible.'
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In his final interview, Eric Dane described ALS - the disease that tragically claimed his life at 53 on Thursday - as 'something so horrible.' Pictured June of 2025 in Washington, DC
He said of his life two months ago: 'I have no reason to be in a good spirit at any time, on any given day, I don't think anybody would blame me if I went upstairs in my bedroom, crawled under the sheets, and spent the next two weeks crying.'
Dane said it had been 'very encouraging' that his spirit remained 'buoyant ... in the face of something so horrible.' Pictured in LA last June
Eric Dane, who was catapulted to fame after starring as the heartthrob McSteamy on Grey's Anatomy (pictured), has died at 53. The actor's death was announced on Thursday, less than a year after he revealed that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
ALS is a nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to loss of muscle control and paralysis as it gets worse over time, per the Mayo Clinic; Dane is pictured on October 30 in West Hollywood
'With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,' his family said in a statement to People on Thursday. 'He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world'; pictured with Billie (L) and Georgia (R) in May 2024
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The award-winning actor is survived by his two teenage daughters, Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13, and his wife, .
ALS is a nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to loss of muscle control and paralysis as it gets worse over time, per the Mayo Clinic.
Following his death, a bevy of stars, including , rushed to social media to pay tribute to Dane.
The actor announced his diagnosis with the disease in April. By June, he revealed to ABC News — in what would become his final interview before his death — that he had lost the function of his right arm and hand.
He revealed in 2014 that he fell in love with acting after he was 'roped into' starring in a high school production of Arthur Miller's All My Sons. He went on to drop out a month before graduation and moved to LA to pursue acting with just '40 bucks' in his pocket; pictured in 2022 in LA
'I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter,' Dane said in April as he shared news of his ALS diagnosis
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He shared with People in a 2014 interview that his early career was complicated by his wild streak.
'I ended up partying for the next eight years,' he admitted. 'I got into a lot of trouble.'
His early acting credits include appearances in Saved By The Bell, The Wonder Years, Roseanne and Married... with Children, but his big break came in 2000 when he was cast in a recurring role in Gideon's Crossing.
Gayheart filed for divorce in 2018, but the couple called off their split in 2025 and remained married until Dane's death
'I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to [the] set of Euphoria,' he said in a statement to People.
On the big screen, Dane appeared in an array of huge titles, including Marley & Me (2008), Burlesque (2010) and Americana (2023).
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In 2010, he starred alongside Jessica Alba, Kathy Bates, Jessica Biel, and Bradley Cooper in the romcom Valentine's Day.
In September, Dane was notably absent from the Emmys despite a previously announced reunion with his Grey's Anatomy costar Jesse Williams to present an award. Williams ended up presenting alone and did not address Dane's absence; pictured in 2022 in LA
In his interview with Diane Sawyer for Good Morning America in June, Dane spoke about how he was processing his health battle.
'I wake up every day, and I'm immediately reminded that this is happening,' he said. 'It's not a dream.'
Dane's wife, Gayheart, also opened up about how their family was dealing with his 'heartbreaking' diagnosis.
In April, Dane confirmed that he would be returning to HBO's Euphoria (pictured) for its third and final season. He starred as Jacob Elordi's on-screen dad, Cal Jacobs
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'I mean, we're definitely dealing with something that has brought us all together, and Eric will always be my family, whether we're married or not, or living in the same house or not, but yeah, we are closer, but we don't like the reason why,' she said. 'It's a horrible disease, and I wish that there was a cure. I hope they find one soon, because it is just so sad.'
In September, Dane was notably absent from the Emmy Awards despite a previously announced appearance to reunite with his Grey's Anatomy costar Jesse Williams to present an award.
Williams ended up presenting alone onstage and made no mention of Dane's absence.
A day later, Dane made a virtual appearance as he revealed a partnership with the nonprofit organization I AM ALS.
In the video, he encouraged people to donate to the cause to find a cure.
'I'm Eric, an actor, a father, and now a person living with ALS,' he said in the video.
