Eric Dane misses planned ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ tribute at Emmys 2025 after revealing ALS diagnosis

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Eric Dane missed a planned “Grey’s Anatomy” tribute at the 2025 Emmy Awards after revealing his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis earlier this year.

Dane was supposed to appear on stage with former co-star Jesse Williams for a segment celebrating 20 years of Shonda Rhimes’ long-running medical show.

Williams, however, presented the award for Directing for a Drama Series solo, and he didn’t mention Dane or the ABC series.

Eric Dane missed a planned “Grey’s Anatomy” tribute at Sunday’s Emmy Awards. FilmMagic
Dane was supposed to appear on stage with former co-star Jesse Williams for the tribute. Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock
Dane and Williams were supposed to celebrate 20 years of Shonda Rhimes’ long-running medical show. ABC

On the red carpet earlier in the evening, Williams told Entertainment Tonight that he was looking forward to the tribute. “I had a really wonderful time working with [Eric] in particular. But the show has just had and continues to have a really remarkable, emotional, intellectual impact on people all over the globe.”

He then called Dane “my guy,” and added, “He’s solid. The man’s just solid, and we have to be careful, you know, as men to still, you know, take care of ourselves and he’s got a perfect balance going.”

Reps for Dane didn’t immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.

Dane starred on the show for six seasons between 2006 and 2012. ABC
Dane revealed his ALS diagnosis in April. Roger / BACKGRID

Dane, 52, announced he was diagnosed with ALS in April, just weeks after calling off his divorce from his wife, Rebecca Gayheart.

ALS “is a nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord,” leading to “loss of muscle control” and progresses over time, according to the Mayo Clinic.

There is no cure for the disease.

In an interview with Diane Sawyer for “Good Morning America” in June, Dane shared the heartbreaking progression of his disease.

ALS “is a nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord,” leading to “loss of muscle control” and progresses over time, according to the Mayo Clinic. There is no cure. ShotbyNYP / BACKGRID
In July, he was pictured with his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, in Beverly Hills. Stefan / BACKGRID

“I have one functioning arm. My dominant side, my left side, is functioning,” he said. “My right side has completely stopped working.”

The actor said he only has “a few more months” before his left arm and hand give out as well. He also worried about losing function in his legs.

“It’s sobering,” he acknowledged.

Still, the “Euphoria” star remained optimistic about his fate.

The actor also attended the Emmys in 2007 (pictured here). WireImage
Dane told Diane Sawyer in a “Good Morning America” interview in June that ALS is not “the end of the story” for him. Getty Images

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“I don’t think this is the end of the story,” he said through tears. “I just don’t feel in my heart like this is the end of me. I’m fighting as much as I can.”

Dane started filming Season 3 of “Euphoria” just four days after revealing his diagnosis. He will reprise his role as Cal Jacobs — a twisted patriarch with a hidden sex addiction — in the hit HBO series.

ALS is also not stopping his love life. He stepped out with his girlfriend, filmmaker Janell Shirtcliff, at the “Countdown” premiere in Los Angeles in June.

Gayheart and Dane called off their divorce just weeks before he announces his ALS diagnosis, though their relationship is platonic as he stepped out with girlfriend Janell Shirtcliff in June. Getty Images
Dane and Gayheart are parents to two daughters: Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13. Roger / BACKGRID

The two weren’t shy about showing PDA, holding hands on the red carpet.

Dane and Gayheart, 54, are still on great terms. Dane told Sawyer in his interview that he’s in constant contact with the “Jawbreaker” star, with whom he shares daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13.

“I call Rebecca. I talk to her every day,” Dane said, getting choked up. “We have managed to become better friends and better parents and she is probably my biggest champion and most stalwart supporter and I lean on her.”

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