Eric Dane, best known as Dr. Mark Sloan on *Grey’s Anatomy*, made a deeply moving guest appearance on NBC’s *Brilliant Minds* while living with ALS. The 53-year-old actor played Matthew, a firefighter confronting his own ALS diagnosis, in a Season 2 episode that aired November 24—a role that mirrored his personal battle.
Earlier this year, Dane revealed his ALS diagnosis. ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a progressive disease that gradually weakens muscles by attacking nerve cells controlling movement. There is currently no cure.
In the episode, Matthew struggles to accept help and fears becoming a burden to his family. Speaking to Dr. Oliver Wolf, played by Zachary Quinto, Matthew says, “Nobody survives this. We both know that, and I know how to take care of my family.” The raw honesty of the performance left the entire production stunned.
Michael Grassi, creator of *Brilliant Minds*, told *USA Today* that working with Dane was a joy—he brought humor and warmth between takes. After filming an especially emotional scene, the cast and crew gave Dane what Grassi described as a ten-minute standing ovation.
“I have never seen this happen in my entire career,” Grassi said. “It was so beautiful and so honest and so real. While his character’s finding bravery, there’s a lot of bravery in Eric to tell the story as well. To come out and share this part of yourself is vulnerable but also really important, and I think raises awareness and shows people that they’re not alone.”
Beyond acting, Dane has become an active advocate. In September, he visited Washington, D.C., meeting with Rep. Eric Swalwell to support legislation backed by the I Am ALS organization. Speaking about his motivation, Dane said, “I have two daughters at home. I want to see them graduate college, get married, maybe even have grandkids. I want to be there for all that, so I’m going to fight until the last breath.”
Dane, also known for his role as Cal Jacobs in *Euphoria*, is using his platform to raise awareness and inspire others facing ALS. His courage in sharing his journey publicly demonstrates that even in the face of devastating illness, there’s power in storytelling and advocacy.
