(NewsNation) — “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Euphoria” star Eric Dane opened up about his recent ALS diagnosis during an interview with “Good Morning America.”
Dane spoke with Diane Sawyer, revealing that he only has “one functioning arm” and that his left arm is also getting weaker.
“I feel like maybe a couple more months and I won’t have my left hand either. It’s sobering,” he said.
Dane was diagnosed in April after he went through nine months of testing for symptoms that started around a year and a half ago. His first symptom was weakness in his right hand.
During the interview, he said, “I thought maybe I’d been texting too much or my hand was fatigued, but a few weeks later, I noticed it got a little worse. So I went and saw a hand specialist, who sent me to another hand specialist. I went and saw a neurologist, and the neurologist sent me to another neurologist and said, ‘This is way above my pay grade.'”
Eric Dane says he and his wife are better friends, parents after the diagnosis
Dane also spoke about his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, during the interview. “We have managed to become better friends and better parents. She is probably my biggest champion and my most stalwart supporter, and I lean on her,” he told Sawyer.
Gayheart filed for divorce in 2018. In the original filing, Gayheart cited irreconcilable differences, but listed the separation date as “TBD.” Then, in March of this year, she dismissed the divorce without prejudice, according to People.
BRENTWOOD, CA – JUNE 03: Actor Eric Dane and actress Rebecca Gayheart attend the 16th annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball on June 3, 2017 in Brentwood, California. (Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic) 
Georgia Dane, Eric Dane and Billie Dane at the premiere of “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” at the TCL Chinese Theater on May 30, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 07: (L-R) Actress Rebecca Gayheart, Billie Dane and Actor Eric Dane attend the 13th Annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball at a private Mandeville Canyon Estate on June 7, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic) 
CENTURY CITY, CA – APRIL 17: Actress Rebecca Gayheart and actor Eric Dane attend the 21st annual GLAAD Media Awards at Hyatt Regency Century Plaza on April 17, 2010 in Century City, California. (Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic) 
FILE – Eric Dane arrives at a promotional event for the series “Euphoria” in Los Angeles on April 20, 2022. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File) 
Eric Dane at the “One Fast Move” Los Angeles Special Screening on August 6, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images) 
GREY’S ANATOMY – “Remember the Time” – (Photo by Danny Feld/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) PATRICK DEMPSEY, ERIC DANE 
DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 12: Eric Dane attends the Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s 2022 Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show on November 12, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
Dane has two daughters with Gayheart. He told Sawyer about an experience he had while snorkeling with one of his daughters, during which he didn’t have enough energy to swim. He said his daughter had to save him and get him out of the water.
He told Sawyer during the interview, “She dragged me back to the boat. I was like, breaking down in tears. I made sure she got back to the water with her friend and continued on with the snorkeling. I was just heartbroken.”
Eric Dane still filming season 3 of ‘Euphoria’ after diagnosis
Despite his diagnosis, Dane returned to film the third season of “Euphoria.” He told Sawyer he’s still fighting. “In my heart, I don’t feel like this is the end for me. I’m fighting as much as I can. There’s so much about it that’s out of my control,” he said.
He also explained how the diagnosis made him angry because he lost his father to suicide when he was 7 years old. “I’m angry because my father was taken from me when I was young, and now there’s a very good chance I’m going to be taken from my girls when they’re very young,” he said.
Dane also plays a role in the Amazon Prime Video series “Countdown,” which is set to premiere on June 25. He recently told Variety that he is “ready and willing to do just about anything” when it comes to acting.
He acknowledged he has limitations that could prevent him from acting in specific roles. “I’m working on ‘Euphoria.’ I finished ‘Countdown.’ As far as that goes, I’m pretty capable,” he said.
ALS is a progressive, degenerative disease that is fatal. It breaks down the body’s nerves and weakens the muscles. This causes eventual paralysis, impacting one’s ability to breathe, move and speak. As of now, there is no cure.