Grey's Anatomy's Eric Dane misses Emmy after his ALS diagnosis: What is ALS and how serious it gets

Eric Dane, known to many as “McSteamy” from Grey’s Anatomy, left fans concerned and worried when he skipped a planned Emmy appearance. However, the well-known face of television later revealed the reason behind his absence at the Emmys despite a planned ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ tribute.


What happened

Eric Dane, 52, confirmed that he was scheduled to present alongside his Grey’s Anatomy co-star Jesse Williams in a tribute celebrating the show’s 20th anniversary. However, days before the event, he fell in his kitchen and sustained head injuries, requiring stitches and hospitalization.

In interviews, Dane described ALS as “a nasty disease,” emphasizing that his physical condition left him unable to attend. Dane made his ALS diagnosis public in April 2025, having first noticed symptoms in early 2024. By mid-2025, he reportedly had lost function in his right arm and was seeing signs of weakening on the left. Despite the progression, Dane remains determined to continue working and to use his voice for ALS advocacy.

As he presses on with work, advocacy, and treatment, his story casts a much-needed spotlight on ALS – what it is, how serious it can become, and what people can do when confronting it.



What is ALS?

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often called Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a neurodegenerative disorder that attacks the motor neurons in the spinal cord and brain that control voluntary muscles. Over time, the loss of these nerve cells leads to muscle weakness, wasting, and eventually the inability to move, speak, swallow, or breathe independently. Importantly, ALS typically does not affect senses like touch, vision, or hearing.

Though the exact cause remains unknown in most cases (called sporadic ALS), a minority of cases (about 5–10 %) are familial, meaning inherited. Scientists believe a mix of genetic susceptibility and environmental or lifestyle exposures contributes.

ALS is progressive, which means symptoms of the disease intensify and spread. Once breathing muscles weaken, patients may require ventilatory support. While there is no cure, treatments may slow progression, help manage symptoms, and improve quality of life.

Although ALS is rare, it is quite devastating. Most patients live after diagnosis for 3 to 5 years, although roughly 10-20% survive beyond 5 years, and a small minority live 10 or more. The final stages usually involve respiratory failure, making breathing support a critical concern. Because damage is irreversible and unpredictable, early recognition, support, and planning are key.



Early signs and red flags

ALS often begins subtly. Symptoms may initially seem minor or ambiguous, but over weeks or months, they progress. Some early warning signs include:

Muscle weakness or stiffness in one limb (arm or leg) or one side of the body

Muscle twitching (fasciculations) or cramping

Slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, or increased choking episodes (if bulbar muscles are affected)

Difficulty walking, tripping, or dropping things

Fatigue in limbs, especially when doing fine motor tasks (buttoning, writing)

Because early signs can mimic other conditions, diagnosis is often delayed. Doctors usually exclude other causes via blood tests, imaging, nerve conduction studies, or electromyography (EMG).

In Dane’s case, he has openly shared that his right arm lost function early in the course of his ALS. In interviews, he’s expressed the shock of waking up “immediately reminded” of his condition.


Who is at risk?

ALS remains largely idiopathic, which means, for most patients, the cause is unknown. However, researchers have identified risk factors that may contribute:

Genetics: About 5-10% of ALS cases are familial (inherited). In these cases, a gene mutation – such as in SOD1 – is passed down.

Age and gender: Risk increases with age, particularly between the ages of 60 to mid-80s. Slight male predominance occurs before the age of 65.

Environmental exposures: Smoking, exposure to heavy metals, pesticides, solvents, or toxins have been implicated in some studies.

Trauma or physical stress: Repeated head injuries, extreme physical exertion, or use of electrical shock have been explored as potential contributing factors.

However, it’s important to note: having a risk factor doesn’t guarantee ALS will develop. Many people with risk exposures never develop it. The disease’s onset is thought to arise from a complex mix of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers.



Prevention tips

Unfortunately, there is no proven way to prevent ALS today. However, based on what is known, some general measures may reduce risk or delay onset in vulnerable people:

Avoid smoking (especially long-term)

Limit exposure to known toxins (pesticides, heavy metals, solvents)

Protect from head injuries (use safety gear, reduce concussion risk)

Maintain a healthy lifestyle and reduce chronic oxidative stress (balanced diet, moderate exercise)

Because prevention is not yet possible, the focus now is on early detection, symptom control, and maximizing quality of life.


Managing ALS

Since ALS cannot be cured, medical care revolves around symptom management, slowing progression where possible, and supportive care, such as:

Medications to slow progression: Drugs like riluzole and edaravone are approved in many countries and may modestly slow decline, while newer combinations are under study.

Therapies and rehabilitation: Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy help maintain function, flexibility, mobility, and communication. Assistive devices, like walkers, wheelchairs, and adaptive tools, help maintain the independence of the patients.

Respiratory and nutrition support: As breathing muscles weaken over time, use of non-invasive ventilation (masks) or ventilators becomes necessary. For swallowing difficulties, feeding tubes can prevent malnutrition and aspiration pneumonia.

Palliative care and emotional support: Early introduction of palliative care teams helps with pain, symptom control, mental health, and end-of-life planning. Counseling, support groups, and family care are vital, as ALS affects the patient and their loved ones.

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