Eric Dane, 52, Shares New Video Following His Absence From the 2025 Emmys

Hollywood heartthrob Eric Dane stuns fans with his appearance in a video about ALS, as viewers express their heartbreak over his "slurred" speech and "twitching" muscles.

On September 15, 2025, Hollywood star Eric Dane appeared in an Instagram video, speaking about his partnership with the I Am ALS organization.

His appearance, which sparked a flurry of comments from concerned online viewers, comes after his absence from this year's Emmys and months after he spoke out about his Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis in a "Good Morning America" ("GMA") interview in June.

​​Eric Dane's Push for ALS Research and Fast-Tracked Results

In the video, Dane delivers his message with quiet resolve, sitting calmly in front of a softly lit backdrop. Wearing a navy blue "I Am ALS" T-shirt, he introduces himself simply — "I'm Eric. An actor, a father, and now a person living with ALS." From the outset, his words carry a sense of urgency and defiance.

"For over a century, ALS has been incurable, and we're done accepting the status quo," asserts the actor. He speaks passionately about "Push for Progress," which is a bold initiative by I Am ALS to raise one billion dollars in just three years — a goal aimed at accelerating research, expanding treatment access, and renewing the landmark law for the disease.

With conviction, he calls on viewers to act, "We have to do it now." The campaign, described by the organization as a "groundbreaking" movement, comes at a pivotal moment, with life-saving treatments reportedly within reach.

Dane's appeal is more than advocacy — it's a personal mission, a call to action, and a powerful reminder of what's at stake.

Following the video's release, social media was flooded with emotional reactions from viewers who were quick to express concern. Many took to the comment section to reflect on the physical and vocal changes they noticed in Dane.

'His Voice Is Going': Fans Left Shattered by Eric Dane's ALS Progression

"I don't know a lot about ALS, admittedly, can someone tell me if the difference in Eric's speech is a part of the diagnosis? It sounds slurred, as if he's struggling with speaking. It's absolutely heartbreaking to see how fast he has changed for the worst [sic]," one spectator wrote.

Echoing that sentiment, another observed, "I can hear his voice. He's already having trouble speaking." "his [sic] speech😭," added someone else. "I think @realericdane is losing his voice a little bit I can here it 😢 [sic]," one commenter shared. Others focused on visible signs of physical strain.

One person noted, "You can see his muscles twitching on his arms. And his voice is going," while another reiterated, "you can he his arm twitching [sic]." Meanwhile, a more succinct reaction captured the general feeling of many — "This is hard to see."

The Emmy Awards Disappearance That Stood Out

Dane's heartfelt video came after his sudden and unexplained withdrawal from the 2025 Emmy Awards, where he was slated to appear alongside fellow "Grey's Anatomy" alum Jesse Williams.

Their joint appearance was meant to mark the iconic medical drama's 20th anniversary with a tribute, and they were set to present the award for Directing for a Drama Series. But when Dane pulled out, the tribute was scrapped entirely.

"There wasn't a set or anything, though," executive TV producer Jeannae Rouzan-Clay later clarified. "It was just a celebration with the two of them."

While no further details were shared about the reason behind Dane's absence, producer Jesse Collins confirmed that Williams was ultimately able to present the award on his own.

Eric Dane Discloses His Diagnosis to the World

Dane's absence from the Emmys comes months after he revealed he has ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease, in April 2025. At the time, he expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of his family, sharing that his wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart, and their teenage daughters had been by his side as they faced this life-altering reality together.

Despite the challenges ahead, Dane remained committed to his craft, stating, "I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to set [sic] of 'Euphoria' next week." He also made a heartfelt request for privacy, as he and his loved ones began adjusting to their new normal.

Eric Dane Opens up to Diane Sawyer

Over a month after sharing his diagnosis with the public, Dane sat down with ABC News' Diane Sawyer for a vulnerable and emotional interview — his first time opening up in such detail about the private battle he's been fighting.

The segment began with a nostalgic look back at Dane's career, revisiting his early days on "Grey's Anatomy," where his piercing blue eyes and confident swagger earned him the nickname McSteamy.

Now 52, the man once idolized as a TV heartthrob appeared visibly changed but no less compelling, ready to speak out so others living with ALS wouldn't feel alone.

Recounting the earliest signs — a subtle weakness in his right hand that he initially dismissed as fatigue — Dane described a long, winding journey through specialist after specialist before finally hearing the words that would alter his life: ALS. With no roadmap and only a daily inventory of what continues to be lost, Dane had to forge on.

"My right side is completely stopped working [...] I feel like maybe a [...] few more months, and I won't have my left hand either. Sobering [sic]," divulged the star. Though he can still walk, he also confessed to harboring fear about the future of his mobility.

More than anything, Dane shared his heartbreak over how the disease has impacted his role as the patriarch of his family.

A Daughter's Heroic Act in the Ocean That Left Her Father Heartbroken

Dane became particularly emotional recounting a moment when he jumped into the ocean during a recent boat trip, only to realize he could no longer swim. It was his youngest daughter who rushed to save him, dragging him back to the boat.

"I was just heartbroken," he said, adding that afterward, he made sure she got back in the water to keep enjoying the day — even as he quietly broke down.

He also spoke lovingly of his wife, Gayheart, whom he credited as his biggest champion and supporter. Dane noted that their bond has grown stronger through this ordeal, disclosing, "We have managed to become better friends and better parents."

As Sawyer passed him an old photo of himself from his early days in Hollywood, Dane reflected on the young man he once was — full of bravado and ambition, but also quietly wounded from losing his father to suicide when he was just seven years old.

That grief still lingers, especially now. When asked about how angry ALS makes him, Dane responded, "Very. I'm angry because, you know, my father was taken from me when I was young. And now, you know, there's a very good chance I'm going to be taken from my girls while they're very young." "All I want to do is spend time with my family and work a little bit if I can."

'I Don't Think This Is the End of My Story': Eric Dane Fights Back

Despite the pain and prognosis, Dane is far from giving up. Toward the end of the interview, he offered a powerful declaration of hope, noting, "I don't think this is the end of my story [...] I don't feel like this is the end of me. I'm fighting as much as I can." He made it clear that while ALS may be changing his life, it will not define it — and certainly won't silence it.

That same unwavering spirit Dane brings to his personal life is evident in his professional one, too. Despite the physical toll of ALS, he has made it clear that stepping away from acting is not on the table. "I'm going to ride this till the wheels fall off," he told E! News in an interview alongside his "Countdown" co-star Jensen Ackles.

The new Amazon MGM Studios thriller, which reunites Dane with a high-stakes action format, has become more than just another role — it's a lifeline.

"It keeps me sharp," he said. "It keeps me moving forward, which is super important right now." For Dane, being on set isn't just about work — it's about purpose.

"I feel great when I'm at work," he shared. "Of course, there have been some sort of [sic] setbacks, but I feel pretty good. My spirit is always pretty buoyant, so at the end of the day, that's all that matters."

A Fighter, a Father, an Advocate, and a Star: Eric Dane's Next Chapter

This sentiment captures the heart of who Eric Dane is today — a father, a husband, a fighter, and an actor determined to keep living fully, both on and off the screen. The man once known as one of TV's ultimate heartthrobs has become something even more powerful: a symbol of resilience.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "help” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.