Eric Dane, the acclaimed actor known for his role in Grey's Anatomy, was compelled to miss a scheduled appearance at the Champions for Cures and Care Gala this past Saturday. The 53-year-old star's absence came as a direct result of the physical challenges posed by his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis, a progressive neurodegenerative condition that weakens muscles and impairs physical function.
Award Recognition Amid Health Struggles
Despite his inability to attend in person, Dane was honoured with the prestigious Advocate of the Year Award at the annual event, which was organised by the ALS Network in Pasadena, California. The organisation had announced back in September that Dane would be the recipient of this award, recognising his significant contributions to raising awareness about ALS.
Official Statement from ALS Network
An ALS Network spokesperson provided a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, explaining the situation. 'The ALS Network has been informed that Eric Dane had hoped to join us this evening to accept his Advocate of the Year Award, but due to the physical realities of ALS, he is not well enough to attend,' the statement read. 'We remain deeply grateful for his courage, advocacy, and continued commitment to the ALS community, and we honor him fully this evening with our profound respect and support.'
The organisation arranged for Broadway star and Grammy Award nominee Aaron Lazar to accept the award on Dane's behalf during the gala ceremony.
Dane's Advocacy and Personal Journey
In a statement shared online, the ALS Network highlighted Dane's impactful advocacy work. 'Through his advocacy, Eric has brought international attention to ALS, helping strengthen our urgent mission to provide care, resources, and hope to families impacted by this disease,' the organisation stated. 'Thank you, Eric, for your leadership and compassion!'
Dane himself responded to the honour, expressing that 'This award is more than an honor – it is a reflection of the incredible strength and courage I see in the ALS community every day.'
Recent Personal Developments
The actor's health announcement in April 2025 came just one month after he and his wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart, 54, decided to call off their divorce proceedings. Although they are no longer romantically involved, the couple remains committed to their family unit, sharing two daughters: Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14.
In a revealing first-person piece published in The Cut in December, Gayheart shed light on their complex relationship, describing her love for Dane as 'familial' rather than romantic. She explained that they had separated eight years ago but never finalised their divorce, and she now 'shows up' for Dane to support him through his health challenges.
Future Projects and Memoir Announcement
Looking ahead, Dane has announced plans to release a memoir titled Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments. The publication will be released under Maria Shriver's The Open Field publishing imprint, which operates as a subset of Penguin Random House.
In this deeply personal work, Dane intends to highlight the most significant days of his life, which will include:
- The births of his daughters
- His experiences filming Grey's Anatomy
- His journey to sobriety
- The day he received his ALS diagnosis
This literary project promises to offer readers an intimate glimpse into the actor's life, both before and after his diagnosis with this challenging condition.
