By ADAM S. LEVY, US SENIOR SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER and CYDNEY YEATES, US SENIOR TV WRITER and BRIAN MARKS, US ASSISTANT SHOWBUSINESS EDITOR

Published: 05:47 GMT, 20 February 2026 | Updated: 06:47 GMT, 20 February 2026

In his final interview, Eric Dane, described amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) - the disease that tragically claimed his life at 53 on Thursday - as 'something so horrible.'

The Grey's Anatomy actor's death was announced on Thursday, less than a year after he revealed that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Dane continued to put on a brave face during difficult times, appearing on a virtual panel in December of 2025 for I AM ALS and Synapticure on Giving Tuesday.

He spoke about a role that he had on a Brilliant Minds episode the previously month, portraying a firefighter and 9/11 hero named Matthew, who had a difficult time disclosing his ALS diagnosis to relatives.

Dane said he was 'grateful' for the role - in which he acted opposite Mädchen Amick, who played his wife - as it was a 'cathartic' experience to portray living with ALS.

Dane said it had been 'very encouraging' that his spirit remained 'buoyant ... in the face of something so horrible.'

In his final interview, Eric Dane described ALS - the disease that tragically claimed his life at 53 on Thursday - as 'something so horrible.' Pictured June of 2025 in Washington, DC

He said of his life two months ago: '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.'