Eric Dane has opened up in his first interview since revealing his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
On June 12, the 52-year-old actor appeared in a preview clip for an upcoming Good Morning America interview with Diane Sawyer. In the short segment, Dane spoke candidly about living with the disease.
“I wake up every day and I’m immediately reminded that this is happening,” he told Sawyer. “It’s not a dream.”
The clip shows Dane and Sawyer holding hands while discussing his health. It ends with the Euphoria star breaking down in tears, highlighting the emotional weight of the conversation.
“I don’t think this is the end of my story. I don’t feel like this is the end of me,” Dane said.
Dane first shared his ALS diagnosis exclusively with PEOPLE magazine in April. At that time, he said, “I have been diagnosed with ALS. I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.”
He is married to Rebecca Gayheart. The couple has two daughters, Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13. Dane asked for privacy for his family during this difficult time.
ALS, also called Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a rare, progressive neurological condition. It causes muscle paralysis that worsens over time. Early symptoms include muscle twitching and weakness, often followed by slurred speech.
According to the Mayo Clinic, ALS affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control muscle movement. Over time, patients lose the ability to speak, eat, walk, and breathe on their own.
There is no cure for ALS. The Muscular Dystrophy Association reports that most people live three to five years after diagnosis, although some patients survive for much longer.
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