In the upcoming episode of NBC’s show “Brilliant Minds,” actor Eric Dane is set to take on a poignant role as a character fighting amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a condition he is personally navigating. ALS leads to significant muscle weakness and can affect various bodily functions, including speaking, swallowing, and breathing.
Though the episode titled “The Fire Fighter” is scheduled to air on November 24, the impact of Dane’s portrayal is already resonating within the ALS community. Eric Dane, known for his performances in “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Euphoria,” announced his own ALS diagnosis in April. Since then, he has dedicated himself to raising awareness about the disease and advocating for increased funding towards research and treatment.
In the forthcoming episode, Dane’s character, a heroic firefighter, grapples with the complexity of revealing his ALS diagnosis to his family. In a thoughtful move, Dane requested that a graphic directing viewers to the I AM ALS website be displayed after the episode, underscoring his commitment to educating the public about the disease.
Larry Falivena, chair of the ALS Association board and an ALS patient, remarked on the significance of such representations in popular culture. “It’s crucial to see the experience of living with ALS reflected in popular culture. When Eric Dane brings his firefighter character into living rooms across the country, it not only conveys the emotional and physical challenges of the disease but also highlights the resilience of those affected by it,” Falivena said. He expressed hope that portrayals like Dane’s would foster greater compassion, spur research efforts, and drive urgency in the quest to make ALS livable and, ultimately, find a cure.
The importance of representation in media is echoed by ALS News Today columnist Dagmar Munn, who noted that performances by actors like Dane help maintain public awareness of the disease. “Actors continuing to perform, if they can, keep ALS in the spotlight by openly discussing it and illustrating how its symptoms manifest in daily life,” Munn stated.
Dane’s portrayal resonates with a historical context as well, revisiting a legacy that began over 80 years ago with Gary Cooper’s role as Lou Gehrig in “The Pride of the Yankees,” which significantly raised awareness about ALS, then commonly known as “Lou Gehrig’s disease.”
In addition to his role in the show, Dane is leveraging his platform to push for ALS advocacy. He recently partnered with I AM ALS to initiate the Push for Progress campaign, which aims to secure $1 billion in federal funding for ALS treatment and research over the next three years. Dane’s advocacy efforts also include lobbying Congress for the renewal of the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act—known as ACT for ALS—set to expire in 2026. This January, he will be recognized as Advocate of the Year by the ALS Network, highlighting his commitment to the cause.
Rachael Kesler Palm, director of marketing and communications for I AM ALS, noted a significant uptick in engagement and volunteerism linked to Dane’s involvement. “His celebrity helps quite a bit; it opens doors,” Palm said, acknowledging the influence of Dane’s visibility in raising awareness and support for ALS efforts.