Kate Walsh, the acclaimed actress who portrayed Addison Montgomery on the long-running medical drama Grey's Anatomy, has publicly expressed her profound sorrow and heartache following news that her former co-star Eric Dane is battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The two actors shared significant screen time during the show's early seasons, with their characters entangled in one of television's most memorable love quadrangles alongside Meredith Grey and Derek Shepherd.
Emotional Response to a Devastating Diagnosis
In a recent interview with People magazine, Walsh, now 58, described learning of Dane's condition as "so painful" and "really sad." She revealed that while she hasn't been in direct contact with him recently, she has made efforts to reach out and convey her support. "I've reached out and sent my love and support and strength," Walsh explained. "It's so heartbreaking."
The actress went on to praise Dane personally, calling him "such a beautiful person and such an incredible man." She added that her experience with the disease extends beyond her former colleague, noting, "I've had other friends that have battled with this disease, and it's just horrific." Walsh concluded by saying her heart goes out to Dane and that she keeps "him, his family, his girls, in my prayers."
The Grey's Anatomy Connection
The professional relationship between Walsh and Dane dates back to the formative years of Grey's Anatomy, where their characters' complicated romance captivated audiences worldwide. Walsh played the sophisticated neonatal surgeon Addison Montgomery, who arrived in Seattle as the estranged wife of Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey). Her character's backstory included an affair with Dane's character, the charismatic plastic surgeon Mark Sloan, nicknamed 'McSteamy' by fans.
This tangled web of relationships defined much of the show's early narrative, with Addison attempting to reconcile with Derek while he pursued a relationship with Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo). Despite occasional moments of comfort with Mark, Addison consistently rebuffed his attempts to rekindle their romance, creating one of the series' most enduring dynamic tensions.
Understanding ALS and Its Impact
Eric Dane, now 53, publicly revealed his ALS diagnosis last year. The condition, known in some countries as motor neurone disease and colloquially in America as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a rare and incurable degenerative disorder that progressively impairs the nervous system. Over time, the disease causes increasing muscle paralysis as motor neurons deteriorate.
Since his diagnosis, Dane's health has declined significantly. He now uses a wheelchair, has lost function in one of his arms, and recently had to withdraw from a public appearance due to what he described as the "physical realities" imposed by his illness. Despite these challenges, Dane remains determined to continue his acting career, insisting last month that "I still have my brain and I still have my speech. I'm not about to concede my purpose for some disease."
Support from the Grey's Anatomy Family
Walsh's emotional comments follow similar expressions of support from other Grey's Anatomy alumni. Patrick Dempsey, who played Derek Shepherd opposite both actors, recently revealed that he has maintained contact with Dane throughout his health struggles. "It's very hard for him, but I do try to stay in touch and see how he's doing," Dempsey told Parade magazine.
The 60-year-old actor even attempted to cast Dane in his new drama series Memory of a Killer, but acknowledged that "the progression of his disease made it virtually impossible." Dempsey did note with pleasure that Dane managed to travel to Toronto to film a role on the medical drama Brilliant Minds, starring Zachary Quinto.
Dempsey spoke warmly of his former colleague's character, saying, "I think he's been incredibly courageous in the face of this horrible disease. He's such a wonderful human being. He has such a great sense of humor, and he's so intelligent."
Legacy and Moving Forward
Both Walsh and Dane have continued their careers beyond their Grey's Anatomy origins. Walsh's character was eventually spun off into the successful series Private Practice, which followed Addison's medical career in Los Angeles from 2007 to 2013. Meanwhile, Dane has taken on diverse roles in recent years, including playing the father of Jacob Elordi's character in the hit series Euphoria.
The public expressions of support from Walsh and Dempsey highlight the enduring bonds formed among the Grey's Anatomy cast members, even decades after their characters' storylines unfolded. As Dane continues his courageous battle against ALS, the entertainment community and fans worldwide are rallying behind him, inspired by his determination to continue pursuing his passion for acting despite the disease's progressive challenges.
