Watch: Rebecca Gayheart Details "Very Complicated" Eric Dane Relationship Amid His ALS BattleEric Dane's battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) caused him to miss a major achievement. Indeed, the Euphoria actor-who announced his diagnosis in April-was forced to miss the ALS Network's Champions for Cures and Care Gala Jan. 24, where he was recognized as Advocate of the Year. "The ALS Network has been informed that Eric Dane had hoped to join us this evening to accept his Advocate of the Year Award, but due to the physical realities of ALS, he is not well enough to attend," the organization said in a statement ahead of the event, per The Hollywood Reporter. "We remain deeply grateful for his courage, advocacy, and continued commitment to the ALS community, and we honor him fully this evening with our profound respect and support." The statement continued, "Aaron Lazar, Broadway star and Grammy Award nominee, will accept the award on his behalf." The gala-which announced that Eric, 53, would be its main honoree in September-recognizes people who are dedicated to the advancement of cures and improvement of care for those living with ALS.readWhy Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart Haven't Had the "Harder" Conversations About His ALS Battle YetHis absence comes after announcing that he would be a no-show at the 2025 Emmy Awards, sharing that he would not able to present an award with Grey's Anatomy costar Jesse Williams as initially planned because he was in the hospital receiving treatment. "ALS is a nasty disease," Eric-who shares kids Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14, with estranged wife Rebecca Gayheart-said of the neurodegenerative disorder, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in an interview with The Washington Post published Oct. 2. "So I was in the hospital during the Emmys getting stitches put in my head."Photo by VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty ImagesBecause of that, Eric shared, "I missed an opportunity I was really looking forward to." "It would have been great to see Jesse and get reunited with some of my peers, and to be able to present in front of my colleagues I thought would have a been special moment," he continued. "I was a really upset about it, but you know, there was nothing I could do about it." Although the Burlesque actor has been candid about his struggles with the disease, he has also been open about how it has brought him a bigger sense of purpose. "I think it's imperative that I share my journey with as many people as I can because I don't feel like my life is about me anymore," Eric explained of his guest appearance on Brilliant Minds, where he played a character living with ALS, during a Dec. 2 virtual panel hosted by the nonprofit I AM ALS. "I would love my life to be all about me, but I just can't. I don't think I would be able to move forward if that were the case. It's been a propulsive sort of component to my existence." For a closer look at Eric's inspiring journey with ALS, read on...(VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)Opening Up About His Private Health Battle Eric Dane shared that he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in April 2025. "I have been diagnosed with ALS," Dane told People at the time. "I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter."Todd Williamson/January Images/ShutterstockReturning to SetThe Euphoria star made it clear that he wasn't stepping away from the screen amid his diagnosis, sharing in April 2025 that he was continuing to film the final season of the HBO series. And Dane, whose Amazon MGM Studios series Countdown debuted over the summer, admitted that acting has kept him "sharp" has he navigates his health battle. "I feel great when I'm at work," he explained to E! News in June 2025. "Of course, there have been some sort of setbacks, but I feel pretty good. My spirit is always pretty buoyant, so at the end of the day, that's all that matters."FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty ImagesDetailing His First Symptoms Two months after sharing his diagnosis, the Grey's Anatomy alum spoke candidly about his journey, including the symptoms that led to his diagnosis. "I started experiencing some weakness in my right hand," Dane told Diane Sawyer in a sit-down on Good Morning America in June 2025. "I didn't really think anything of it at the time. I thought maybe I'd been texting too much or my hand was fatigued, but a few weeks later I noticed it got a little worse." After nine months of appointments, which involved visiting two hand specialists and two neurologists, Dane was told he had ALS. "I will never forget those three letters," the father of two explained. "It's on me the second I wake up. It's not a dream."John Salangsang/Shutterstock"Sobering" Road AheadWhile sharing how the rare degenerative disease has affected him physically so far, he also detailed where he sees the progression headed. "My left side is functioning, my right side has completely stopped working," Dan