Eric Dane has taken on a special guest role in NBC’s Brilliant Minds, a part that mirrors his personal experiences with ALS.
The star of Euphoria will feature in the ninth episode of the show’s second season, which is scheduled to premiere on November 24. Dane will portray Matthew, a valiant firefighter who finds it difficult to disclose his ALS diagnosis to his family. The press release details that Matthew seeks assistance from Dr. Oliver Wolf, played by Zachary Quinto.
In April, Dane publicly announced his diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a debilitating disease that attacks the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing progressive loss of muscle control, as described by the Mayo Clinic. There is currently no cure for ALS.
“Ultimately, I just desire to spend precious time with my family and work a bit if possible,” Dane expressed to Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America in June. “I don’t believe this is where my story ends. I just don’t feel like this is the end of me,” he added optimistically.
The former Grey’s Anatomy star has been candid about his health struggles, sharing in September that he had to miss a scheduled Emmy Awards appearance due to a fall at home that required hospitalization.
“ALS is a terrible disease… I was in the hospital getting stitches in my head during the Emmys,” Dane disclosed to The Washington Post. He missed an opportunity to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Grey’s Anatomy alongside former co-star Jesse Williams due to the unfortunate accident in his kitchen.
“It was an opportunity I was really looking forward to. It would have been wonderful to see Jesse again and reconnect with peers, and presenting in front of my colleagues would have been a special moment,” he lamented. “I was quite upset about it, but there was nothing I could do.”
Regarding his decision to go public with his ALS diagnosis, Dane admitted, “It wasn’t something I ever really wanted to do,” he told the publication, “It became increasingly difficult to conceal what was happening. Instead of letting people speculate, I decided to be upfront about it.”
Despite his initial reluctance, Dane acknowledged, “I’ve never received a greater outpouring of love and support than I did after announcing my diagnosis.”
Brilliant Minds is broadcast on NBC every Monday at 10 p.m. ET.
Hi, I’m Emily, a passionate and dedicated member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a keen eye for detail and a love for writing, I ensure that the latest celebrity news, major economic trends, and helpful tips for your home are presented in the most engaging and informative way possible. Fun fact: During a particularly exciting news story, I once managed to finish an article in record time, fueled solely by copious amounts of coffee and pure adrenaline!
