What to Know About ALS After Actor Eric Dane's Death

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Source: MedPage Today

Original: https://www.medpagetoday.com/neurology/generalneurology/119982...

Published: Fri, 20 Feb 2026 17:28:42 -0500

Eric Dane, an actor known for his roles on the TV series Surgeons and Euphoria, died at the age of 53 on Thursday afternoon after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).[1][2][3] He was diagnosed with ALS in April 2025, less than a year before his death.[1][3][4] He spent his last days surrounded by his wife Rebecca Gayheart, two daughters Billie and Georgia, friends and family.[1][2][3] He became an advocate for ALS awareness, supported research, and was named Advocate of the Year by the ALS Network in September 2025.[4] ALS is an incurable neurodegenerative disease that destroys the nerve cells that control muscles, leading to loss of movement, speech, swallowing and breathing.[2][6] Medicine is powerless against it and on average it causes the death of the patient within three years.[1] The family said Dane loved the fans and appreciated their support.[3]