Eric Dane misses awards show due to ‘physical reality’ of ALS diagnosis

Eric Dane Due to the ongoing challenges associated with his ALS diagnosis, he was forced to miss attending the ALS Network Champions of Cure and Care Gala on Saturday, January 24.

“The ALS Network has learned that Eric Dane had hoped to join us tonight to accept his Advocate of the Year Award, but due to his medical condition due to ALS, he is not in good health and is unable to attend,” a spokesperson for the ALS Network told us hollywood reporter Saturday.

The organization’s statement continued: “We remain deeply grateful for his courage, advocacy and continued commitment to the ALS community, and tonight we express our deep respect and support for him. Aaron LazarBroadway stars and Grammy Award nominees will accept the award on his behalf. “

The charity announced in September 2025 that Dane, 53, would receive the Advocate of the Year award at its annual ceremony in Pasadena, California. The ALS Network praised Dane for bringing “international attention to ALS” through his “leadership and compassion” since being diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease.

“This award is more than an honor,” Dane said at the time. “[The award is] This reflects the incredible strength and courage I see every day in the ALS community. “

Dane disclosed his ALS diagnosis in April 2025. (ALS, also commonly called Lou Gehrig’s disease or motor neuron disease, is a “nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord,” causing a loss of muscle control over time, according to the Mayo Clinic.)

“I was diagnosed with ALS,” he told people then. “I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we begin this new chapter.”

He continued: “I feel lucky that I am able to continue working and look forward to returning to [the] set Euphoria next week. I kindly ask that you give me and my family privacy during this time. “

In addition to shooting Euphoria In the third season, Dane guest stars smart mind In November 2025, he plays a firefighter and 9/11 hero who struggles to share his ALS diagnosis with his family. He promoted the TV role by speaking on the “I Am ALS Living” Giving Tuesday panel about the impact his diagnosis has had on his working life.

“I’m not going to give up on my goals because of an illness. I just don’t have the ability to do it,” he explained, later adding: “There’s no reason for me to be in a good state of mind at any time, on any day. I don’t think anyone would blame me if I went up to my bedroom, crawled under the sheets, and cried for the next two weeks. I was kind of pleasantly surprised when I realized that I wasn’t like that, because I was sure that’s what it would be like.” “

He added, “I think I have to share my journey with as many people as possible because I feel like my life is not my own anymore.”

During the same panel, Dane emphasized that the support of his family is crucial as he copes with the uncertainty of the future.

“Obviously, I have family at home and they are my priority, but this is a big thing for me, making sure people understand what ALS is and what it means, and more importantly, what we can do to combat it and improve the environment,” he said.

Related: How Eric Dane’s daughters coped with his battle with ALS: ‘Getting through it’

Eric Dane’s wife, Rebecca Gayheart, said their two daughters were battling ALS “day by day”. “We have some professional therapists who are helping us, and we’re just trying to have some hope and do it with dignity and grace and love,” Gerhart, 54, told PEOPLE in an interview published Saturday. […]

Dane and his estranged wife, Rebecca GayheartThey have two daughters: Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13. (Gerhart filed for divorce from Dane in February 2018, but withdrew the legal petition in March 2025. Dane makes her red carpet debut with girlfriend Janelle Shetcliffe at the Los Angeles premiere of his show Countdown In June, Gayheart was linked to Billionaire Peter Morton.)

Dane is candid about the progression of ALS. he confirmed good morning america In June 2025, he only had “one functioning arm” as his left side “completely stopped working” and was later photographed in a wheelchair in October.