- Eric Dane has died of ALS at the age of 53.
- Before his death, the actor opened up about the subtle signs of the neurological disorder he says he first ignored.
- Here’s the symptom he said he missed.
Actor Eric Dane died last week at the age of 53 after a 10-month battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a degenerative neurological disorder. The Grey’s Anatomy star spent his final days surrounded by his family, according to a statement posted to the actor’s Instagram. Not long before, Dane spoke out about the subtle ALS symptom he said he initially missed.
The actor first publicly revealed his diagnosis in April 2025. In the months that followed, Dane became an advocate for ALS awareness and research, as much is still unknown about the neurological disorder.
As for the subtle symptom that signaled something may be wrong with his health, Dane said that it started months before his diagnosis. He told Good Morning America that his first clue was weakness in his right hand. “I didn’t really think anything of it at the time. I thought maybe I’d been texting too much or my hand was fatigued,” he said. “But a few weeks later, I noticed it had gotten a little worse, so I went and saw a hand specialist, who sent me to another hand specialist.”
Dane ultimately saw two neurologists before finally receiving an ALS diagnosis. “I’ll never forget those three letters,” he told Good Morning America.
What are the symptoms of ALS?
ALS is a degenerative neurological disorder affecting the motor neurons, where symptoms worsen over time, according to the National Institutes of Health. As with Dane, early symptoms can be subtle, making the disorder difficult to diagnose. Early symptoms may include:
- Muscle twitches in the arm, leg, shoulder, or tongue
- Muscle cramps or stiffness
- Muscle weakness in an arm, a leg, or the neck
- Slurred and nasal speech
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
As motor neurons continue to deteriorate, symptoms may spread to other parts of the body, and these may be more severe. People at later stages of the disease may be unable to stand, walk, eat, or even breathe on their own. Respiratory failure within three to five years of diagnosis is the most common cause of death for ALS patients, according to the NIH. However, about 10% of people with ALS live for 10 years or more.
Unfortunately, there’s no known cure for ALS. However, there are some treatments available to help people manage symptoms, including physical and speech therapy, breathing and feeding support, and some medications.
Much is still unknown about what causes ALS and how best to treat it, a cause to which Dane devoted his final months; he became a member of the Target ALS Board of Directors. Through his advocacy, Dane said he hoped to “[change] what it means to get an ALS diagnosis. This community deserves effective treatments, and I want to do my part to deliver them.”
Our thoughts are with Dane’s family at this time.
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