Eric Dane Dies After ALS Advocacy
Actor Eric Dane died Feb. 19 at 53 after an ALS diagnosis; he spent his final months fundraising, joined Target ALS's board and helped a campaign exceed $500,000.
Overview
Eric Dane died Feb. 19 at age 53 after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, his family and representatives said.
Dane announced his ALS diagnosis in April 2025 and spent his final months raising funds and awareness while pushing for increased research funding.
Colleagues including Patrick Dempsey, Kim Raver and Euphoria showrunner Sam Levinson issued tributes, and his family asked for privacy, representatives said.
He joined the board of Target ALS by December and helped one campaign surpass a $500,000 fundraising target while a three-year campaign launched in September aimed to raise more than $1 billion in federal funding.
A memoir titled 'Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments' is scheduled for late 2026, his publisher said.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as a sympathetic human-interest and awareness piece, combining factual medical context with personal testimony and celebrity tributes. Editorial choices — emotive language, prominent quotes about suffering and advocacy, selection of family and co-star reactions, and emphasis on fundraising and research involvement — steer readers toward empathy and action.
Sources (23)
FAQ
Eric Dane was diagnosed with ALS in November 2024.
He was the spokesperson for Target ALS's 'Ending ALS Starts With You' campaign aiming for $500,000, joined Target ALS's board, and partnered with I AM ALS on 'Push for Progress' to secure over $1 billion in federal funding.
Eric Dane was honored with the Advocate of the Year Award by the ALS Network in September 2025.
The ALS Association reported a 200% increase in donations following the news of his passing.
Family friends launched a GoFundMe campaign aiming to raise $250,000 for his two teenage daughters.
History
7 sources