Eric Dane ALS update: Actor skips awards gala as he writes memoir

As he faces illness, Eric Dane is also preparing to share his story in a new memoir. Photo / Saul Loeb

Eric Dane has missed an awards show because of the “physical realities” of having ALS.

The 53-year-old actor is battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis – a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells and causes loss of muscle control.

It is also known as motor neurone disease (MND) – and Dane was forced to miss the ALS Network’s Champions for Cures and Care Gala in Pasadena, California on Saturday due to health reasons.

An ALS Network spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter: “The ALS Network has been informed that Eric Dane had hoped to join us ... to accept his Advocate of the Year Award, but due to the physical realities of ALS, he is not well enough to attend”.

The Grey’s Anatomy actor had been due to pick up the Advocate of the Year award in recognition of him bringing “international attention to ALS” through his “leadership and compassion”.

The spokesperson added: “We remain deeply grateful for his courage, advocacy, and continued commitment to the ALS community, and we honour him fully this evening with our profound respect and support. Aaron Lazar, Broadway star and Grammy Award nominee, will accept the award on his behalf”.

Dane previously expressed his gratitude at the recognition.

Speaking last September, when it was announced he would receive the award, he said: “This award is more than an honour. [The award is] a reflection of the incredible strength and courage I see in the ALS community every day”.

The Euphoria actor recently revealed he is writing his memoir, which will be titled Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments.

He said in a statement: “I wake up every morning, and I’m immediately reminded that this is real – this illness, this challenge and that’s exactly why I’m writing this book.

“I want to capture the moments that shaped me – the beautiful days, the hard ones, the ones I never took for granted – so that if nothing else, people who read it will remember what it means to live with heart.”

Dane – who has two daughters, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13 – hopes that some will “find meaning in their own days” thanks to his upcoming tome.

He added: “If sharing this helps someone find meaning in their own days, then my story is worth telling”.

Dane’s memoir will be available in 2026, but a specific date is yet to be revealed.