Eric Dane's TV Return Will Have His ALS Battle On Display In Heartbreaking Role
By Fiyin Olowokandi on October 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM EDT
Eric Dane is not letting his ALS diagnosis keep him away from the screens.
The American actor is set to feature in an episode of "Brilliant Minds," where he will play a character battling ALS.
Dane announced his heartbreaking diagnosis in April. Despite struggling to accomplish daily tasks, he revealed that he is determined to keep acting for as long as he can before the illness completely takes its toll on him.
Eric Dane Will Make His TV Return In 'Brilliant Minds'
Dane will guest star in an episode of the second season of NBC's "Brilliant Minds," set to hit the screens on November 24. The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that he will play the character of Mathew, a firefighter who battles ALS, just like Dane does in real life.
Dane's character, Mathew, not only struggles with his diagnosis but also struggles with breaking the news to his family members. As such, he enlists the help of Dr. Oliver Wolf, played by Zachary Quinto.
The "Grey's Anatomy" actor will feature in the show alongside other stars such as Tamberla Perry, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, and Donna Murphy.
It's been six months since the Dane shared his unfortunate diagnosis with the world. However, he has continued to make appearances in several films and shows. He will continue his role as Cal Jacobs for the third season of HBO's "Euphoria," and also featured in Prime Video's recently released "Countdown."
In June, the 52-year-old actor noted that despite his diagnosis, he just wants to spend time with his family and work, if possible, "at the end of the day." He maintained a positive outlook on his condition, noting that it's not yet the end of his story.
Eric Dane Is Determined To 'Fight' Amid Devastating Health Update
News of Dane's role in NBC's "Brilliant Minds" comes a few weeks after he addressed his health issues during an interview with California congressman Eric Swalwell.
As reported by The Blast, the "Euphoria Actor" shared hopes of being present to witness the milestones his daughters will reach, including graduating from college and getting married.
"I wanna be there for all that. So, I'm gonna fight until the last breath on this one," Dane said.
During the discussion with Swalwell, Dane also touched on the topic of federal funding provisions for ALS and shed light on some of the struggles people in his condition often face.
The Actor Reportedly Struggles To Speak And Walk
Before Dane vowed to fight against the degenerative disease, The Blast reported that his condition had worsened significantly.
The "Valentine's Day" actor was reportedly struggling to speak properly when he was questioned by a photographer. He was also spotted in a wheelchair and appeared to have lost mobility in his feet.
An insider close to the situation shared that the health condition has been "devastating" for Dane as he had started experiencing significant muscle weakness as a result of the disease.
Eric Dane's Estranged Wife Says Their Daughters Are 'Suffering' Through The Actor's Illness
While Dane is struggling with the physical implications of ALS, those close to him are also struggling to come to terms with the diagnosis.
Dane's estranged wife, Rebecca Gayheart, opened up about how the actor's disease has affected their family. She noted that she is yet to reach a place where she can "pull out a positive nugget" about the situation.
Gayheart also spoke candidly about how Dane's condition has affected their two daughters, Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13.
"I mean, it's heartbreaking. My girls are really suffering, and we're just trying to get through it. It's a tough time," she said, per The Blast.
The actress and model also called ALS a "horrible disease" and expressed hope that a cure would be found to put her former lover out of his misery.
Rebecca Gayheart Called Off Divorce From Eric Dane Before ALS
Gayheart and Dane got married in 2004, and the former filed for divorce from the latter in 2018. The duo's divorce settlement turned out to be a lengthy and protracted case that lasted for years.
In 2019, Dane accepted Gayheart's terms for spousal support and joint legal and physical custody of their daughters. However, the case stalled again until March 2025, when the actress withdrew her petition shortly before his diagnosis revelation.
A judge then issued a "final notice" stating that the case would be thrown out if it did not proceed, following which a court date was set for March 20.
