Eric Dane, the actor known for his role in Grey’s Anatomy, recently discussed his absence from the planned reunion with costar Jesse Williams at the 2025 Primetime Emmy Awards. In an interview with The Washington Post, Dane revealed that he fell and injured himself in his kitchen just before the ceremony, requiring stitches.
“ALS is a nasty disease,” he said in reference to his ongoing battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). “I was in the hospital during the Emmys getting stitches put in my head. I missed an opportunity I was really looking forward to. It would have been great to see Jesse and get reunited with some of my peers, and to be able to present in front of my colleagues I thought would have been a special moment. So I was really upset about it, but you know, there was nothing I could do about it.”
Despite missing the awards show, Dane remains committed to raising awareness for ALS. Just two days after the Emmys, he was in Washington, D.C., advocating for the reauthorization of the Accelerating Access for Critical Therapies for ALS Act, which is set to expire in September 2026. Dane was diagnosed with ALS last year, prompting his advocacy efforts.
Dane expressed his desire to share his experience, stating, “I have been an open book about certain things in my life. This is something I felt compelled to share with people. I don’t really have a dog in the fight, per se, when it comes to worrying about what people are going to think about me. This is more of a: ‘How can I help? How can I be of some service?’ Not to be overly morbid, but you know, if I’m going out, I’m gonna go out helping somebody.”
Dane’s commitment to raising awareness and advocating for ALS research offers a hopeful perspective in the face of his challenges. His willingness to share his journey not only helps to illuminate the realities of living with the disease but also serves as an inspiration for others battling similar circumstances.