Actor Russell Andrews, best known for his role in Better Call Saul, has publicly shared his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. The 64-year-old actor confirmed the news during an appearance on CNN's The Story Is with Elex Michaelson on Saturday, May 16, with his fiancée, actress Erica Tazel, by his side.
Andrews' Battle with ALS
Andrews revealed that he was diagnosed in late fall of the previous year. He described the experience as humbling but expressed gratitude for the support he has received from a community of caring individuals who have helped him navigate his condition. 'They have not let us miss a step in terms of care, the attention, the awareness and the ability to get me here today,' he said.
The actor initially mistook his symptoms, which included muscle twitches and loss of mobility, for a stroke during the COVID-19 pandemic. He recalled a stressful period when he and his partner did not work for about three years, compounded by back-to-back strikes. Andrews thought he was experiencing pinched nerves in his neck, but the symptoms persisted. 'I was not able to do things that I normally do. I was dropping cups and glasses at night. It felt like things were running up and down my arm at different times and it was the nerves,' he explained.
Understanding ALS
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. According to the Mayo Clinic, the disease progressively worsens, leading to significant loss of muscle control. There is no cure for ALS, and it is ultimately fatal, though the rate of progression varies among patients.
Early symptoms include muscle twitching, weakness in the limbs, and difficulties with swallowing and speaking. As the disease advances, it impairs the ability to move, speak, eat, and breathe. ALS can also cause muscle cramps, twitching in the tongue, arms, and shoulders, and changes in behavior or cognitive function. Some patients experience inappropriate episodes of laughter, tears, or yawning.
Risk Factors and Causes
Risk factors for ALS include genetics, with about 10% of cases being hereditary. Children of individuals with hereditary ALS have a 50% chance of inheriting the gene. Age is also a factor, with risk increasing up to age 75 and most diagnoses occurring between ages 60 and 85. Men are more likely to develop ALS before age 65. Other potential risk factors include smoking, exposure to toxic substances, and military service, which has been linked to a higher rate of diagnosis. The exact cause of ALS remains unknown in most cases.
Lou Gehrig, the legendary New York Yankees first baseman, brought widespread attention to the disease. Known as 'The Iron Horse,' Gehrig played 2,130 consecutive games before ALS forced his retirement in 1939. He famously declared himself 'the luckiest man on the face of the earth' during a speech at Yankee Stadium. Gehrig died two years after his diagnosis, on June 2, 1941.
