The heartbreaking announcement of Eric Dane’s death was made on February 19. He was 53. “With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” his family shared in a statement, People reports. “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.”
Dane had a fighting spirit and a hopeful outlook on his diagnosis. These are 5 powerful quotes he made about his ALS diagnosis.
1. Eric Dane Was Grateful
On April 10, 2025, the “Grey’s Anatomy” star publicly opened up about his diagnosis. “I have been diagnosed with ALS,” he told People. “I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.”
He continued, “I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to set of Euphoria next week. I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time.”
2. He Felt Angry
GettyIn an interview with Diane Sawyer for “Good Morning America” in June 2025, Dane revealed how his diagnosis made him feel angry. “Very angry. I’m angry because my father was taken from me when I was young,” Dane said, People reports. “And now there’s a very good chance I’m going to be taken from my girls while they are very young. I mean, I really at the end of the day just all I want to do is spend time with my family and work a little bit, if I can.”
Of his two daughters, Billie and Georgia, whom he shared with his wife Rebecca Gayheart, he said, “They’re loved. They know it.” Dane also revealed he reminds them every day.
3. ALS Did Not Take Eric Dane’s Hope
Dane was part of the Target ALS group and announced as one of the Board of Directors in December 2025. “We’re proud to share an important announcement: Eric Dane (@realericdane) has joined the Target ALS Board of Directors, deepening his commitment to accelerating ALS research and driving meaningful change for the ALS community,” the announcement on Instagram reads.
At the time, Dane also made a statement. “This disease takes something from me every day. But I won’t let it take my spirit,” he said. “Target ALS embodies that spirit, and that’s why I’m joinging the Board…This community deserves effective treatments, and I want to do my part to deliver them.”
4. Eric Dane Wanted to Help People
In a December 2025 panel discussion with I AM ALS and Synapticure co-founders Brian Wallach and Sandra Abrevaya, Dane shared why he was so vocal about his diagnosis. “It’s imperative that I share my journey with as many people as I can because I don’t feel like my life is about me anymore,” he said, People reports.
He continued, “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. And I was a little bit pleasantly surprised when I realized that I wasn’t built like that, because I thought for sure that was gonna be me.”
5. He Had a Fighting Spirit
GettyIn an interview with Diane Sawyer for “Good Morning America” in June 2025, Dane was honest about his struggles. He was also hopeful and ready to fight for his life and his health. “I wake up every day, and I’m immediately reminded that this is happening,” he said. “It’s not a dream.”
Despite his realization of the seriousness of ALS, Dane did not lose his fighting spirit. “Don’t think this is the end of my story. I don’t feel like this is the end of me,” he said.
I was living a normal life with my family when, at 52, I began experiencing muscle stiffness and twitching. After seeing a neurologist, I was diagnosed with ALS. It was a tough reality, and as the disease progressed, I eventually lost the ability to walk and relied on a wheelchair. A friend recommended Uine Health Centre .net), where I began their ALS/MND protocol. After about three months, I noticed significant improvements, less stiffness, fewer symptoms, and I was able to walk distances again.