Actor Eric Dane, known for his role in Grey’s Anatomy, was seen in a wheelchair at the Toronto airport on Thursday. He appeared frail as he continues to cope with ALS.
The actor, 52, was diagnosed with a serious illness earlier this year in April. He needed assistance getting out of a van and was guided through the airport terminal by someone helping him.
Wearing a plaid shirt, sweatpants, and a baseball cap, Dane looked down with a sad expression.
This recent appearance follows concerns raised just weeks earlier when Dane seemed to have difficulty speaking to a photographer at the Washington, D.C. airport, who had asked about his fans’ well-being.
Dane replied softly, ‘Keep the faith, man.’
People close to the actor say he’s been thinking a lot about his own aging and eventual death.
According to a source, Eric is currently facing the difficult reality of his own mortality, something most people avoid thinking about.
He’s aware of what’s coming and is focusing on making the most of his time. He wants to find joy, inspire others facing difficulties, and cherish moments with loved ones – truly live in the present.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), often called Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a rare and currently incurable condition that impacts the nerves controlling muscles. It affects about 5,000 people in the United States annually.
Symptoms often progress rapidly and are difficult to detect in the early stages.
In early 2024, Dane began experiencing weakness in his right hand, initially thinking it was just from overuse, like texting too much or general tiredness.
He finally got a diagnosis in April after undergoing months of tests and seeing several specialists.
By June, he had lost use of his right arm.
Most people with ALS live three to five years after diagnosis, but Dane’s condition has worsened quickly and he is experiencing a lot of pain.
Still, those close to him say he’s determined to remain brave in the face of fear.
Many people overlook what they have, and fear often stops them from taking action,” the source explained.
As a teenager growing up in the Bay Area, Dane was known for his athleticism as much as his charm.
During his time at San Mateo High School, he excelled at water polo. He later switched schools to find a team with a higher level of competition. He jokingly told Dax Shepard on the Armchair Expert podcast last year, ‘I wasn’t the best, but I was really good.’
This year, a family snorkeling trip became scary when Dane discovered he was physically unable to continue.
He was swimming with his daughters, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13, when he unexpectedly began to struggle in the water.
He told Diane Sawyer that when he jumped into the ocean and realized he couldn’t swim or make it back to the boat, his first thought was, “Oh, God.” He immediately understood he was in serious danger and no longer safe in the water.
He was scared and trying not to drown when Georgia saw he needed help and rescued him.
Dane said he was on the verge of tears, but he quickly helped the girl rejoin her friend and continue snorkeling with the guide. He admitted he felt devastated by the situation.
Throughout everything, his ex-wife and close friend, actress Rebecca Gayheart from Beverly Hills, 90210, has been a constant and reliable source of support for him.
Their relationship started in 2003. Joely Gayheart, recently out of a long-term relationship with producer Brett Ratner and known for her role on Nip/Tuck, met David Dane, who was building his acting career with smaller parts in shows like Saved by the Bell, The Wonder Years, and Roseanne.
They tied the knot in Las Vegas just ten months later, in 2004.
Their marriage faced several challenges, most notably a scandal in 2009 when a private video of the couple with model Kari Ann Peniche became public online.
The video showed Dane and Gayheart with another person enjoying themselves and relaxing in a hot tub, but it didn’t contain any sexual content. They sued Gawker for publishing the video and eventually reached a private settlement in 2010.
Even with challenges, they continued their relationship and had two daughters: Billie, born in 2010, and Georgia in 2011.
However, despite his public image, the actor was privately struggling with addiction. He started using marijuana as a teenager and successfully got sober for the first time when he was 26 years old.
While working on Grey’s Anatomy, he struggled with the pressures of being famous and experienced a setback during the 2007 Writer’s Guild strike, which led to difficult times.
In 2011, he sought treatment for painkiller addiction. He later confessed that during his eight years on *Grey’s Anatomy*, he struggled with substance abuse more often than he was sober, and this period marked the beginning of his difficulties.
Dane explained that he wasn’t surprised when Shonda Rhimes decided to let him go, as he felt he had changed since he was originally cast.
He regained prominence with a leading role in The Last Ship, but later paused his career in 2017 to address his depression.
By 2018, his 14-year marriage to Gayheart had ended, and she filed for divorce.
They announced their separation with a shared statement, saying it was the best choice for their family and that they will continue to work together as parents.
They stayed true to their word, continuing to raise their daughters together in Los Angeles.
A year after their separation, Gayheart shared that her family has adjusted to a ‘new normal.’ While it’s been challenging, she’s optimistic about the future, noting that her children are doing well and are happy and healthy.
After Dane was diagnosed with ALS, Gayheart is said to have stopped pursuing the divorce and decided to stay with him as his partner.
She told E! News, just before his announcement, that they’ve remained close friends and excellent co-parents. They’ve found a way to successfully maintain a family dynamic, which she believes is benefiting both their children and themselves.
She explained that she doesn’t see the end of her relationship as a failure, but rather as a success. They shared two wonderful children together, and she believes that’s what truly matters.
According to a source, the pair’s renewed bond has been transformative.
After Eric received his diagnosis, Rebecca chose to let go of any resentment, and their ability to co-parent has blossomed into a friendship that’s incredibly supportive for him right now, according to a source.
She fully supports him, and they both share the same priority: providing the best possible life for their children.
Even as his health has declined, Dane has refused to let ALS define him.
He quickly returned to filming the third season of Euphoria, just days after revealing his diagnosis, and even shared some scenes with his friend Sharon Stone.
Stone shared with Entertainment Tonight that he and Eric have been friends for years. He even helped Eric prepare for his audition for Euphoria, as Eric was very eager to land the role.
Dane acknowledges he has some limitations as an actor, but he’s still dedicated to his work. He explained in June that while he’s eager to take on various roles, he understands there will be some he can’t play. He’s currently working on *Euphoria* and recently completed *Countdown*, and feels confident in his abilities overall.
Even though Dane seems to be doing worse lately, he’s determined to keep fighting.
‘I still have hope,’ he said to Sawyer. ‘I believe I have more to offer, and deep down, I don’t feel like this is how my life will end.’
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2025-10-16 20:36