Eric Dane sparked concern after he was absent from the 2025 Emmys despite a scheduled appearance – five months after announcing his ALS diagnosis.
The actor, 52, was set to have a mini Grey’s Anatomy reunion with former co-star Jesse Williams at the ceremony. However, Williams ended up taking the stage on his own after Dane failed to turn up.
The appearance was to be in celebration of their show’s 20th anniversary, but Williams ended up presenting the award for Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series by himself, with no mention of Dane.
The absence worried fans who were looking forward to seeing the actor in what have been his first appearance at a major awards show since announcing his ALS diagnosis.
A source told Deadline that Dane stepped down from presenting duties last minute, likely on the day of the awards show.
The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Dane for comment about his absence but have not yet heard back.
Eric Dane sparked concern after he was absent from the 2025 Emmys despite a scheduled appearance; pictured at the premiere of Countdown in June
‘Wait Eric Dane was suppose to present with Jesse Williams,’ one person tweeted with a string of sobbing emojis.
‘The fact that Eric Dane didn’t show up makes me sad and worried for him tbh,’ another said.
‘I hope Eric is well. He was scheduled to present with Jesse Williams,’ another posted.
‘I thought eric dane was presenting with jesse? hope he’s okay,’ one said.
In April, Dane revealed his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a rare and incurable neurological condition that progressively weakens muscles and affects physical function.
About half of ALS patients have a life expectancy of three years after the initial onset of symptoms, though some can survive for decades.
‘I have been diagnosed with ALS,’ Dane said in a statement to People. ‘I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.’
The news came a month after Dane and his wife Rebecca Gayheart – with whom he shares daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13 – called off their divorce.
The Emmys appearance was set to be a mini Grey’s Anatomy reunion with former co-star Jesse Williams
Fans expressed concern over Dane’s absence
Williams ended up taking the stage on his own to present the award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
‘I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to set of Euphoria next week,’ said Dane, a longstanding star of the HBO series. ‘I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time.’
During a subsequent interview with Diane Sawyer, Dane revealed he had been struck with paralysis.
He said in the June broadcast: ‘I have one functioning arm. My left side is functioning. My right side, [which is my dominant side], has completely stopped working.
‘[My left arm] is going. I feel like maybe a couple, a few more months and I won’t have my left hand either. Sobering. I’m worried about my legs.’
The news came a month after Dane and his wife Rebecca Gayheart – with whom he shares daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13 – called off their divorce; pictured 2017
A few days after the interview aired, Dane made his first red carpet appearance since announcing his diagnosis for the premiere of his police procedural Countdown.
‘I feel good,’ he told Variety at the event.
‘It’s nice to be here with everybody and see the hours and hours of work that we put into this come alive on screen,’ he added.
Dane was bent on continuing to act despite his health battle.
‘It always feels great to be on a set. It’s great to be employed. I love what I give. I’m going to keep doing it.’
