BREAKING HIS SILENCE

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Star Breaks Down Talking About Diagnosis

Eric Dane, who played “McSteamy” on the hit ABC show, opened up about his ALS diagnosis.

Grey’s Anatomy star Eric Dane opened up about his recent diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) during an appearance with Good Morning America’s Diane Sawyer. “I wake up every day, and I’m immediately reminded that this is happening,” Dane said in a teaser clip released Thursday. But Dane, who plays Mark Sloan (“McSteamy”) on the hit ABC medical drama, said he remains optimistic, stating, “I don’t think this is the end of my story. I don’t feel like this is the end of me.” At the end of the clip, Dane breaks down after Sawyer asks him whom he called first after he received his diagnosis. The Grey’s actor first shared the news of his diagnosis in an interview with People in April, saying that he was “grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.” ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a rare neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spine, resulting in difficulty moving, eating, speaking, and breathing. It is considered fatal and has no cure; patients typically live for three to five years after being diagnosed. The full interview will air on Monday.