Celebrity4 min(s) read
Grey's Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo reveals heartbreaking thing she told Eric Dane after his ALS diagnosis
Ellen Pompeo has opened up about the conversation she had with her former Grey's Anatomy co-star Eric Dane after he revealed his ALS diagnosis.
The actor, 53, who is best known for Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria revealed in April 2025 that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
ALS is a rare and progressive neurological disease that robs the body of its ability to move, talk, eat, and breathe.
It is a nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord and progressively worsens over time, eventually resulting in death.
Pompeo, 56, starred alongside Dane on Grey's Anatomy for six seasons and opened up about the emotional conversation she had with him after he was diagnosed.
Speaking in a pre-recorded video at the ALS Network Champions for Cures & Care Gala last week, as reported by People, Pompeo - who stars as Dr. Meredith Grey - admitted that she "fell in love" with Dane when he joined the cast in season two as Dr. Mark Sloan.
She revealed: "I remember when he came in as McSteamy and us having instant electric chemistry, and I immediately just fell in love with him."
After Dane shared his ALS diagnosis, she immediately reached out to him and he phoned her just seconds later.
"As soon as I heard about his diagnosis, I texted him, and I said, 'I'm here if you want to speak.' And my phone rang 30 seconds later," she explained.
She told him that she would be there for him for "whatever you need, however I can help. I love you."
Pompeo also shared a message for Dane, adding: "I'm really proud of you. I love you so much and I am honored to get to speak about you today."
Dane was honored with the Advocate of the Year Award at the ceremony, but couldn't attend in person due to the "physical realities" of the condition.
A spokesperson for the ALS Network told The Hollywood Reporter: "The ALS Network has been informed that Eric Dane had hoped to join us this evening to accept his Advocate of the Year Award, but due to the physical realities of ALS, he is not well enough to attend.
"We remain deeply grateful for his courage, advocacy, and continued commitment to the ALS community, and we honor him fully this evening with our profound respect and support."
The statement added: "Aaron Lazar, Broadway star and Grammy Award nominee, will accept the award on his behalf."
A separate statement shared online read: "Through his advocacy, Eric has brought international attention to ALS, helping strengthen @youralsnetwork's urgent mission to provide care, resources, and hope to families impacted by this disease.
"Thank you, Eric, for your leadership and compassion!"
After receiving the award, Dane said in a statement: "This award is more than an honor – it is a reflection of the incredible strength and courage I see in the ALS community every day."
The star candidly opened up about life with the disease last year in a powerful interview with Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America.
He said at the time: “I started experiencing some weakness in my right hand, and I didn't really think anything of it at the time.
"I thought maybe I had been texting too much, or my hand was fatigued. But a few weeks later, I noticed it had gotten a little worse."
Dane revealed that the ongoing hand issue led him to seek help from not one, but two hand specialists — who then passed him along to two neurologists. The last one finally told him: “This is way above my pay grade.”
Dane revealed it took nine months of doctor visits and testing to finally be diagnosed with ALS, and his condition has since advanced to the point where only his left arm still works.
"I have one functioning arm. My dominant side. My left side is functioning, my right side has completely stopped working," he explained.
"I feel like maybe a couple, few more months, and I won't have my left hand either. It's sobering."