Eric Dane got emotional in his first interview since revealing his health battle.
Just two months after announcing his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the 52-year-old actor opened up about how he is managing the condition in an upcoming interview with “Good Morning America.”
In a sit-down with Diane Sawyer, the “Grey’s Anatomy” actor became emotional as he talked about his battle with the disease that impacts nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to a gradual decline in muscle control.
“Every morning, it hits me as soon as I wake up that this is my reality,” Dane expressed during a preview of the interview shared on the show’s Facebook page on Thursday, June 12.
“It’s not a dream,” Sawyer, 79, said, to which Dane replied, “It’s not a dream.”
Despite his diagnosis, the “Euphoria” actor is determined to stay positive.
“I don’t think this is the end of my story,” he admitted. “I don’t feel like this is the end of me.”
Further in the preview, Dane struggled to hold back tears when Sawyer asked him, “Who was your first call?”
The clip didn’t show the actor’s response but showed him lowering his head and struggling to hold back his emotions.
Dane revealed his ALS diagnosis on April 10.
“I have been diagnosed with ALS,” he told People in a statement at the time. “I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.”
Dane shares two children, Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13, with his wife of 21 years, Rebecca Gayheart, 53.
The star also revealed he was continuing to film “Euphoria” Season 3 despite his ALS battle. Dane has played Cal Jacobs on the HBO series since 2019.
“I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to set of Euphoria next week,” his statement continued. “I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time.”
Dane and Gayheart married in 2004.
She filed for divorce in 2018, citing irreconcilable differences. However, in March, just one month before he revealed he had been diagnosed with ALS, Gayheart dismissed the divorce.
In April, the “Urban Legend” actress discussed her relationship with Dane.
“We are best of friends. We are really close. We are great coparents,” she told E! News. “We really figured out the formula to staying a family and I think our kids are benefiting greatly from it and we are as well.”
“I think it’s important to not look at a relationship that ends as a failure. It’s just a season. It wasn’t a failure,” Gayheart continued.
“It was a huge success. We were married for, I mean, we are still married, but together for 15 years and we had two beautiful kids so I think that’s a successful relationship, and that’s how we look at it.”
Dane’s entire interview with “GMA” is air to on Monday, June 16.
