Grey’s Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey gives heartbreaking update about Eric Dane amid ALS diagnosis
Patrick Dempsey has claimed that it was ‘virtually impossible’ to cast Eric Dane in his new show Memory of a Killer due to the progression of his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Euphoria actor Dane, 53, revealed in April 2025 that he was diagnosed with the condition, which progressively weakens muscles and affects physical function.
In the months that followed, his condition has progressed quickly and he lost the use of his right arm. Just last week he was forced to pull out of a public appearance ‘due to the physical realities’ of the neurodegenerative condition.’
Dempsey, 60, who starred alongside Dane in Grey’s Anatomy, revealed that his hopes of involving his former co-star in his new Fox thriller series were thwarted by his battle with the disease.
‘We were trying to get him in [Memory of a Killer],’ he said. ‘Unfortunately, the progression of his disease made it virtually impossible.
‘But I was happy to see that he was here in Toronto working on, I think, another medical drama [Brilliant Minds].’
Speaking to Parade, Dempsey confirmed that he is in touch with Dane and the pair correspond over text.
‘It’s very hard for him, but I do try to stay in touch and see how he’s doing,’ he continued.
Patrick Dempsey claimed that it was ‘virtually impossible’ to cast Eric Dane in his new show
Dane announced last April that he was diagnosed with ALS, which progressively weakens muscles and affects physical function (pictured in October 2025)
‘I think he’s been incredibly courageous in the face of this horrible disease.
‘He’s such a wonderful human being. He has such a great sense of humor, and he’s so intelligent.’
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a rare and incurable motor neuron disorder that affects around 5,000 Americans each year.
Symptoms often progress rapidly and can be difficult to detect early on.
Dane first noticed weakness in his right hand in early 2024, thinking he’d ‘been texting too much or my hand was fatigued.’
Months of testing and visits to multiple specialists confirmed the devastating truth: an official ALS diagnosis in April. By June, he had lost use of his right arm.
In December, Dane vowed that he will continue to work because ‘I still have my brain and I still have my speech.’
‘I’m not about to concede my purpose for some disease,’ he said during a virtual panel appearance for IAMALS.org.
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Dane was honored with the Advocate of the Year Award last week, but couldn’t accept the prize in person ‘due to the physical realities’ of his neurodegenerative condition (pictured in June 2025)
He starred alongside Patrick Dempsey in Grey’s Anatomy (also pictured: Kevin McKidd, Chyler Leigh, Jessica Capshaw and Sandra Oh)
‘I just am not capable of doing that. I’m fairly limited in what I can do physically as an actor, but I still have my brain, and I still have my speech so I’m willing to do just about anything.’
Dane reprised his role as Cal Jacobs in the upcoming season of Euphoria, which is due for release in the spring.
More recently, he took a role on NBC medical drama Brilliant Minds where he portrayed a heroic firefighter battling ALS.
Dempsey’s Memory of a Killer premiered January 25 and stars Richard Harmon, Odeya Rush, Peter Gadiot, Daniel David Stewart and Michael Imperioli.
