Months before his death on Thursday at 53 amid a battle with ALS, Eric Dane made one of his final on-screen appearances as a character battling the same illness he struggled with.
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In November, the Grey's Anatomy heartthrob appeared in a guest role on NBC's Brilliant Minds as a heroic firefighter battling ALS.
Dane — who first revealed his devastating diagnosis in April — played Matthew, a veteran firefighter with ALS who wrestles with how to reveal the diagnosis to his adult daughter and ex-wife.
Fans were left in 'tears' after the 'heartbreaking' episode aired, with many calling Dane's portrayal 'powerful' and 'touching.'
As they looked back on the emotional episode in the wake of Dane's death, fans also learned about some of his final on-screen roles, which will soon be released.
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In his Brilliant Minds episode, Dane's character Matthew's breathing began to worsen, leading Dr. Oliver Wolf (Zachary Quinto) to suggest that he should lean on his support system.
Months before his death on Thursday at 53 amid a battle with ALS , Eric Dane made one of his final on-screen appearances as a character battling the same illness he struggled with; pictured on Briliant Minds with Zachary Quinto (L)
Dane — who first revealed his devastating diagnosis in April — played Matthew, a veteran firefighter with ALS who wrestles with how to reveal the diagnosis to his adult daughter and ex-wife
However, Matthew was against the idea, and even thought of skipping Thanksgiving dinner so as not to worry his family.
He also resisted the idea of using a voice-banking app because he struggled to imagine a future in which he couldn’t speak.
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The scene that closed out the episode — Matthew's heart-wrenching message he ended up recording on the voice app — earned the actor a 10-minute standing ovation from the crew, according to Brilliant Minds showrunner Michael Grassi.
After further sessions with Wolf and the interns, Matthew began to open up.
He discussed his ALS with loved ones over Thanksgiving dinner and received a heartfelt tribute from his New York Fire Department family.
After the episode, many fans took to social media, with one writing, 'Eric Dane is breaking my heart.'
'Crying with eric dane in this series,' another added.
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Another fan praised him for doing a 'Beautiful job.'
In his Brilliant Minds episode, Dane's character Matthew's breathing began to worsen, leading Dr. Oliver Wolf (Zachary Quinto) to suggest that he should lean on his support system, but Matthew was against the idea
He thought of skipping Thanksgiving dinner so as not to worry his family. He also resisted the idea of using a voice-banking app because he struggled to imagine a future in which he couldn’t speak
But after further sessions with Wolf and the interns, Matthew began to open up.
He discussed his ALS with loved ones over Thanksgiving dinner and received a heartfelt tribute from his New York Fire Department family
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The scene that closed out the episode — Matthew's heart-wrenching message he ended up recording on the voice app — earned the actor a 10 minute standing ovation from the crew, according to Brilliant Minds showrunner Michael Grassi
Marking his return to the medical drama world, Dane teamed up with Grassi to craft an episode showing what it's like for families to face a difficult ALS diagnosis.
'There's no right or wrong way, there's no rulebook on how to do it,' Grassi told NBC Insider.
'And, for the Thanksgiving episode, we just thought it would be interesting to see a family work through something that's not easy.'
'We love this idea of somebody who is a firefighter who has dedicated his entire life to helping others and in service, and that's who he is, that's his whole sense of self.'
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'And then to have to, later in life, accept help after helping people your entire life, is not easy for somebody like Matthew... It's not a new thing that Matthew is not letting people in; it's been a lifelong struggle of his to let people help him. He's stubborn, and I love that about his character.'
Breaking from tradition, the episode closed not with Wolf’s usual monologue but with Matthew's heart-wrenching message.
Matthew said: 'The act of rescue is often linked to things like heroism and bravery, but for guys like me, I've always looked at it as an act of caring. I guess I never thought of myself as the one who needed to be cared for. But I know now that even on my hardest of days, you and your mom will be there to save me from any fires that may come our way.'
'Sometimes the most heroic thing you can do is not running into a burning building. Sometimes, it's quieter, smaller, and in a way even harder, at least for me,' he continued, sharing that accepting help from his daughter and mom was one of the biggest challenges.
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After the episode, many fans took to social media, with one writing, 'Eric Dane is breaking my heart'
'For me, this is the bravest thing I've ever done, and it's scary as hell,' he concluded tearfully. 'But it is worth it if it means more time with you.'
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Grassi told NBC Insider, 'That scene was so moving, and Eric's performance in it was so vulnerable and so beautiful.'
'After we called cut on that scene and wrapped that scene, the entire crew stood up and clapped Matthew out that day for about 10 minutes. They were just so moved by his incredible performance, and so that was a really special day.'
Dane's Brilliant Minds guest spot was one of his final roles, but the actor filmed two more projects before his death.
The actor announced in April 2025 that he will return to television to appear in the third and final season of the hit HBO series Euphoria, and he will also be seen in the upcoming thriller film Family Secrets.
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'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.
Sam Levinson, the creator of Euphoria, reacted to news of Dane's death on Thursday in a statement to Variety.
Dane announced in April 2025 that he will return to television to appear in the third and final season of the hit HBO series Euphoria (pictured). He starred as Jacob Elordi's on-screen dad, Cal Jacobs
After his death, Euphoria creator Sam Levinson said in a statement: 'I’m heartbroken by the loss of our dear friend Eric. Working with him was an honor. Being his friend was a gift. Eric’s family is in our prayers. May his memory be for a blessing'; Dane is pictured in 2022 in LA
'I’m heartbroken by the loss of our dear friend Eric. Working with him was an honor. Being his friend was a gift,' Levinson said. 'Eric’s family is in our prayers. May his memory be for a blessing.'
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In Family Secrets, 'A young man infiltrates a wedding to seek revenge on the bride’s grandfather by befriending the groom and seducing the bride,' according to the synopsis on IMDb.
A release date for the film has not yet been announced.
In October, Dane appeared to struggle while speaking to a photographer at the Washington, DC airport, after he was asked, 'What would you say to your fans who are hoping everything is okay?'
Dane replied softly, 'Keep the faith, man.'
According to sources close to the actor, the beloved star was grappling with his own mortality.
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One insider told the Daily Mail: 'Nobody wants to think about or address their own mortality, but that is exactly what Eric is going through now.
'He knows his fate and is trying to figure out how he wants to enjoy life, how to be a beacon of hope and help others who are struggling themselves. He also wants to enjoy being with family and friends and actually take this time to live.'
Dane will also appear in the thriller film Family Secrets; pictured in 2019 in Austin, Texas
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a rare and incurable motor neuron disorder that affects around 5,000 Americans each year
Dane gained fame as Grey's Anatomy's Dr Mark Sloan
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ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a rare and incurable motor neuron disorder that affects around 5,000 Americans each year.
Symptoms often progress rapidly and are difficult to detect in the early stages.
Dane first noticed weakness in his right hand in early 2024, assuming he’d simply 'been texting too much or my hand was fatigued'.
After months of testing and multiple specialist visits, he received the official diagnosis in April.
By June, he had lost use of his right arm.
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While life expectancy for ALS patients typically ranges from three to five years, Dane’s decline has been swift and painful.
Through it all, his ex-wife and longtime confidante, Beverly Hills, 90210 actress Rebecca Gayheart, has remained one of his strongest sources of support.
The couple’s story began in 2003 when Gayheart, then fresh from a long-term relationship with producer Brett Ratner and starring in Nip/Tuck, met Dane, who was still climbing the Hollywood ladder after small roles in Saved by the Bell, The Wonder Years, and Roseanne.
Dane's ALS announcement came shortly after the star and his estranged wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart , 54, decided to call off their divorce after seven years apart; pictured in June 2017 with their daughters Bille and Georgia
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By 2018, his marriage to Gayheart had run its course, and she filed for divorce after 14 years together.
When Dane received his ALS diagnosis, Gayheart reportedly halted the divorce process and recommitted to being by his side.
‘We are best of friends. We are really close. We are great co-parents,’ she told E! on the eve of his announcement. ‘We really figured out the formula to staying a family... I think our kids are benefiting greatly from it and we are as well.’