Flonique Guimary

Former 'Grey’s Anatomy' star Eric Dane shares he only has ‘one functioning arm’ after ALS diagnosis

Article (news)

Peter Andrew Acierto

Push Team

<p>Former <em>Grey’s Anatomy</em> star Eric Dane revealed that he only has “one functioning arm” due to his battle with ALS or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In an interview with ABC News&#x27; Diane Sawyer earlier this week, the Hollywood actor shared that he is optimistic that this isn’t the end of his life.  </p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-10" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLDXff7RExe/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=630&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A10%2C%22os%22%3A1156970%2C%22ls%22%3A504771.09999999404%2C%22le%22%3A505303.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="824" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-10" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>According to Mayo Clinic, ALS is a nervous system disease which affects the nerve cells both in the brain and spinal cord. This disorder could take away the person’s muscle control–– from moving, speaking, swallowing, or even breathing. </p><div><br/></div><p>The exact cause of the disease is still not known and has been heavily researched in the past decade.  </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/6/19/-grey-s-anatomy-star-sandra-oh-receives-honorary-doctor-of-arts-degree-from-dartmouth-college-1044" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: &#x27;Grey&#x27;s Anatomy&#x27; star Sandra Oh receives honorary Doctor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Eric, who opened up about his ALS diagnosis several months ago, shared that his right arm has completely stopped working. He admitted that he feels that he’ll be losing his left side in the upcoming months.</p><div><br/></div><p>“I’ve one functioning arm. My dominant side. My left side is functioning, my right side has completely stopped working… No, it’s going. I feel like a couple few more months and I won’t have my left hand either,” he shared. </p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-11" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLAMZMGP3H8/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=630&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A11%2C%22os%22%3A1158134.5%2C%22ls%22%3A504771.09999999404%2C%22le%22%3A505303.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="662" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-11" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>The 52-year old actor maintained that he is continuing the fight as he knows that there is still hope for him and the people who are diagnosed with the same condition. He is currently taking medications to help slow down the symptoms of ALS.</p><div><br/></div><p>“I’m fighting as much as I can. There is so much about it that’s out of my control,” he maintained.</p><div><br/></div><p>Joining him in the interview was the Executive Director of Massachusetts General Brigham Neuroscience Institute, Merit Cudkowicz, whom he consulted after meeting several other doctors. </p><div><br/></div><p>“There was a sense of hope that I didn’t get from other doctors that I’ve met with,” he admitted. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/03/29/23/greys-anatomy-renewed-for-20th-season" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: &#x27;Grey&#x27;s Anatomy&#x27; renewed for 20th season</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>For Eric, he is open to trying out various methods if it would help his cause out–– even going as far as joking about eating a rattlesnake’s head. </p><div><br/></div><p>“I will fly to Germany and eat the head off a rattlesnake if you told me that that would help,&quot; he quipped. </p><div><br/></div><p>The Hollywood star, who has two daughters, remained optimistic that this isn’t the end of his journey and will continue to fight for his life. </p><div><br/></div><p>“I&#x27;m very hopeful ... I don&#x27;t think this is the end of my story… And whether it is or it isn&#x27;t, I&#x27;m gonna carry that idea with me,” he ended.</p><div><br/></div><p>Eric, who has been acting for several decades already, rose to fame after starring in the medical series <em>Grey’s Anatomy</em> where he played the role of Dr. Mark Sloan.  </p>