Actor Eric Dane's Courageous Battle with ALS Remembered

Actor Eric Dane passed away on Thursday, February 19th, at the age of 53, following a courageous battle with ALS. His family confirmed his passing, stating he was surrounded by loved ones and had become a passionate advocate for ALS awareness and research. Dane's final known public appearance was a virtual panel for IAMALS.org on December 2, 2025, where he spoke about the profound impact of his diagnosis. During the panel, he shared his resolve to continue his acting career, despite acknowledging significant physical limitations. He articulated that his purpose was larger than himself, stating, "I don't feel like my life is about me anymore." Dane's commitment extended to his family, particularly his two daughters, who were his "first priority." He pledged to use his platform to advocate for ALS, aiming to "combat" the disease and "improve the landscape" of research and solutions. Less than a month before his death, he was honored as Advocate of the Year by the ALS Network on January 24th, though he was unable to attend due to his health. Dane had publicly shared his ALS diagnosis in April 2025, dedicating his final year to advocacy and raising awareness for the condition.