Celebrity4 min(s) read
Published 10:53 21 Apr 2026 GMT
Euphoria fans have responded to the "clever way" the show handled Eric Dane's ALS diagnosis in its third season.
The 53-year-old actor, known for his role as Cal Jacobs in the HBO series, sadly passed away on February 19.
Dane's family issued an emotional statement to PEOPLE, which read: "With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS.
"He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world," they added.
In 2022, the Grey's Anatomy star announced that he had been diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, slowly diminishing the ability to walk, speak, eat, and breathe independently, while leaving mental function intact.
In an emotional interview with Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America, Dane shared that his symptoms had started about a year and a half earlier, beginning with weakness in his right hand.
"My left side is functioning, my right side has completely stopped working… I feel like maybe a couple more months, and I won’t have my left hand either. It’s sobering," he said.
Despite his declining health, Dane filmed his final scenes for Euphoria’s third season, which aired this month after a long four-year hiatus.
Showrunner Sam Levinson recalled discussing the situation with the actor before filming began. "I loved him very deeply, and I said: 'Eric, whatever shape you show up in, we’re gonna make it work. I have faith that it’s all gonna work,'" he said, per PEOPLE.
While Cal did not appear in the season premiere, a tribute was paid to Dane with an in memoriam photo at the beginning.
Fans were delighted to see him return in Episode 2, where his character is dealing with the fallout from being arrested in Season 2 for his criminal actions.
In the episode, Cal's struggles are subtly portrayed through Eric’s ALS symptoms, as he is shown drunkenly stumbling through his son Nate’s front door, slurring his speech.
Many fans on social media have pointed out how Cal was depicted as an alcoholic, possibly to mask Dane's condition.
One fan wrote on X: "They made Eric Dane a drunk in Euphoria?", while another asked: "Did they make Cal into a drunk to hide poor Eric Dane’s condition?"
Others expressed understanding, with one commenting: "Making Cal a full alcoholic so that they can mask Eric Dane’s ALS and make it just seem like he’s drunk is an interesting choice. I don’t love it but I get why it was done."
Dane’s final moments were marked by his continued advocacy for ALS awareness.
Just days before Christmas, the Last Ship actor shared a post on Instagram, expressing his determination to make a difference after joining the Target ALS Foundation’s Board of Directors.
"This disease takes something from me every day. But I won’t let it take my spirit. Target ALS embodies that relentless spirit, and that’s why I’m joining the Board," he said. "I’m looking forward to working alongside the Target ALS team to continue pushing the limits of what’s possible and changing what it means to get an ALS diagnosis.
"This community deserves effective treatments, and I want to do my part to deliver them," he added.
Tragically, Dane passed away just a few months after joining the board, but his legacy as a passionate advocate for ALS research will live on.
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