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Eric Dane reveals first sign of ALS came during dinner in posthumous memoir
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The late Eric Dane explained how he noticed the first signs of ALS in an emotional admission in his memoir.
On February 19, the sad news broke that the former Grey's Anatomy and The Last Ship actor had passed away as a result of respiratory failure related to ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).
The 53-year-old made one of his final on-screen appearances in season three of Euphoria, which premiered posthumously in April this year.
He was suffering with ALS symptoms during filming, with fans praising the way writers masked his condition in the show.
But in an excerpt of his upcoming posthumous memoir, 'My Book of Days', which will be released on November 3, the actor spoke about the first time he noticed his ALS symptoms.
Dane revealed that it came while he was trying to use chopsticks at dinner with his family.
Eric Dane explained the first time he noticed ALS symptoms
The actor wrote in his memoir, as per People: “I’m eating sushi with my kids and suddenly I can’t work the chopsticks with my right hand. My hand tingles, and then my fingers feel numb,” he said of an incident on January 7, 2024.
Dane, who announced his diagnosis a year later, admitted that he thought it was 'some kind of weird nerve thing' that may have been caused by 'probably texting too much', so he tried to 'shake it off'.
But things did not improve, as the actor added: “Three weeks later, it happens again, only worse. I can’t grip the chopsticks at all.”
This second occurrence led to nine months of the actor seeing medical professionals as he looked 'for answers' before being diagnosed with ALS.
He wrote in 2025: “I have been diagnosed with ALS. I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter. … I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time.”
Dane would reprise his role as Cal Jacobs in the third season of Euphoria, with many fans theorizing that his character was made to be an alcoholic so his ALS symptoms wouldn't get in the way of his acting.
His first appearance came in the second episode of the third season, two months after his death.
Dane's final message
Prior to his death, Eric Dane took part in an emotional interview with Netflix with instructions to only release it following his death.
He spoke about his deep connection with Rebecca Gayheart, the woman he met and fell in love with quickly.
While their romantic relationship would change, the love and respect they shared remained a defining aspect of his life.
When asked about the essence of their relationship, he shared: "We still love each other deeply."
Despite not living together anymore at the time, Dane emphasized that their bond was unbreakable.
"There’s a lot of love there," he explained, highlighting that he would never experience a love quite like the one he had for Rebecca.
He said: "I'll never… have fallen in love with another woman as deeply as I fell in love with Rebecca."
"She's the mother of my children," Dane added, reflecting on the powerful and lasting role Rebecca played in his life.