Eric Dane Dies After ALS Battle, Advocated for Research
Eric Dane died Feb. 19 at 53 after an ALS diagnosis announced in April 2025; he spent his final months raising awareness, meeting lawmakers and speaking at a Washington news conference in June 2025.
Overview
Eric Dane died Feb. 19 at 53 after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, his representatives said.
Dane announced his ALS diagnosis in April 2025 and spent his final months raising awareness, meeting lawmakers and speaking at a Washington news conference in June 2025.
Co-stars including Patrick Dempsey and Alyssa Milano publicly paid tribute, and advocacy groups praised Dane’s public advocacy, his family asked for privacy, representatives said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated nearly 33,000 ALS cases in 2022 and researchers project more than 36,000 cases by 2030, and the disease most often strikes people aged 40 to 60.
Dane helped launch a three-year campaign in September aiming to raise more than $1 billion in federal funding, joined Target ALS’s board, and a memoir is scheduled for release in late 2026, his family said.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present neutral, explanatory coverage—relying on medical authorities (CDC, Mayo Clinic, UCSF), clinical language, and statistics. They prioritize factual definitions, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment details while attributing claims to experts; quoted material remains source content. This approach limits editorial framing and emphasizes informational clarity.
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FAQ
ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscles. According to the CDC, there were nearly 33,000 ALS cases in 2022, with projections of more than 36,000 cases by 2030. The disease most often strikes people aged 40 to 60 and is characterized by progressive muscle weakness and paralysis. Eric Dane's diagnosis at 53 placed him within this typical age range for the disease's onset.
After publicly announcing his ALS diagnosis in April 2025, Eric Dane became a prominent advocate for the disease. He gave a public statement at a Washington news conference in June 2025, declaring "I don't think this is the end of my story." He met with lawmakers, helped launch a campaign aiming to raise over $1 billion in federal funding for ALS research, joined Target ALS's board, and partnered with organizations like I AM ALS and the ALS Network. In September 2025, the ALS Network named him Advocate of the Year, recognizing his commitment to raising awareness and supporting research efforts. Throughout his final months, Dane focused on fighting not just for himself but for everyone living with ALS and their loved ones.
The ALS advocacy community is focused on several key policy goals. Organizations like I AM ALS are pushing to protect $355 million in ALS research funding, secure access to promising treatments through the reauthorization of the ACT for ALS (which is set to expire in 2026), and accelerate FDA approval pathways for treatments. Additionally, the disability advocacy community, with support from figures like Eric Dane, has been promoting legislation such as the Latonya Reeves Act, which seeks to expand access to personal care attendants, mobility tools, and inclusive infrastructure while enforcing stronger protections against institutionalization.
History
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