Frail and in a wheelchair, Eric Dane was seen in Washington, D.C., just days after meeting with lawmakers about ALS, the disease he revealed earlier this year. His wife, Rebecca Gayheart, has spoken openly about how their daughters, 15 and 13, are “really suffering” as the family adjusts to their new reality.
Once the confident “Grey’s Anatomy” star, Dane now battles ALS with quiet resilience. A recent sighting showed the 52-year-old with a slimmer frame and somber expression, escorted across a street while holding the controls of his wheelchair. The image, now widely shared, highlights the rapid decline from just months ago when he could still walk.
Despite the progression, Dane has turned his energy to advocacy. Partnering with I AM ALS, he has urged lawmakers to renew the Act for ALS, expand treatment access, and fund research. In an emotional meeting with Congressman Eric Swalwell, he shared his wish to “ring every bell” — to see his daughters graduate, marry, and start families of their own.
For Gayheart, the journey has been both painful and unifying. Though the couple once filed for divorce, they remain deeply connected in facing this challenge together. “We are closer, but we don’t like the reason why,” she admitted. As fans react with heartbreak, Dane continues to inspire with his courage, reminding all that while the disease takes much, it cannot take his determination or his love for family.