Eric Dane is opening up about his ALS diagnosis.
The Grey’s Anatomy alum sat down with Diane Sawyer for Good Morning America in his first TV interview since revealing his diagnosis in April. The full interview will air Monday, but in a brief teaser clip posted online, Dane remained optimistic about his future.
“I don’t think this is the end of my story,” Dane said. “I don’t feel like this is the end of me.”
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However, the footage also showed the Euphoria star breaking down in tears when Sawyer asked him who he called first after receiving his diagnosis, as well as the actor giving an update on his current state.
“I wake up every day and I’m immediately reminded that this is happening,” Dane said. When Sawyer responded, “It’s not a dream,” Dane then repeated that back to her.
Dane first announced his ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease) diagnosis in April.
“I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter,” the actor said at the time. “I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to the set of Euphoria next week. I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time.”
Dane, 52, has been married to actress and model Rebecca Gayheart since 2004. The couple shares two children.
ALS is a progressive nervous system disease that affects cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control. Over time, it impairs patients’ ability to breathe, speak, and move, leading to full paralysis, according to the Mayo Clinic. It is 100 percent fatal, and there is no cure.
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Dane currently stars as Nate’s (Jacob Elordi) father, Cal Jacobs, on the hit HBO show Euphoria since its debut in 2019. Season 3 finally began production in April, the same month Dane announced his diagnosis, more than three years since the season 2 finale aired.
Dane is best known for his role as Dr. Mark “McSteamy” Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy and has also appeared in Charmed, X-Men: The Last Stand, Burlesque, The Last Ship, and many others.
Dane’s full interview on Good Morning America airs 7 a.m. ET on Monday.
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