Entertainment3 min(s) read
Eric Dane reveals tragic reason he couldn't present an award at the Emmys because of his ALS diagnosis
Eric Dane has revealed the real reason he missed the 2025 Emmy Awards, a night he had been eagerly anticipating.
The 52-year-old actor, best known for his roles in Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, was set to present alongside his former co-star Jesse Williams at the September 14 ceremony but was unable to attend after a medical emergency.
In a new interview, Dane shared that he suffered a fall in his kitchen on the day of the awards show, leading to a hospital visit and stitches in his head.
The actor, who publicly announced his diagnosis with ALS earlier this year, described the experience as both physically and emotionally difficult.
“ALS is a cruel disease,” Dane said via PEOPLE, reflecting on how much he had been looking forward to the event.
“It would have been really meaningful to reconnect with my peers and be part of such a special evening. Missing it was tough, but there wasn’t anything I could do.”
A family facing a difficult diagnosis
Dane’s wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart, has spoken candidly about how the diagnosis has affected their family.
The couple (who share two daughters, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13) have been taking things “one day at a time” as they navigate the emotional and practical challenges of his condition.
The actress shared that their daughters have found the adjustment particularly hard, but the family is working closely with professional therapists and focusing on hope and strength.
“We’re just trying to move through it with as much dignity and love as possible,” she explained at a recent event.
Gayheart and Dane first married in 2004, briefly separated in 2018, and reconciled seven years later. The pair have since become even closer, with Gayheart emphasizing that their renewed bond is rooted in compassion and shared determination.
“Eric will always be my family,” she said. “We’re united, even though we wish it were under better circumstances.”
Advocacy and hope for the future
Despite the challenges of his illness, Dane has remained active and determined to raise awareness about ALS.
He recently joined the nonprofit I AM ALS in Washington, D.C., to support a major new research initiative aimed at securing $1 billion in funding over the next three years.
Speaking about his advocacy work, Dane highlighted how important early diagnosis and expanded access to clinical trials are for patients. He has also been candid about his personal motivation to keep fighting: his two daughters.
“I want to see them graduate, get married, maybe even have kids of their own,” Dane said in a recent message to supporters. “I plan to fight this disease with everything I have.”
Though he missed the Emmys, Dane’s courage and resilience continue to inspire fans, colleagues, and families affected by ALS around the world.