Eric Dane sparked concern after he was absent from the 2025 Emmys despite a scheduled appearance – five months after announcing his ALS diagnosis. 

The 52-year-old actor was meant to have a mini Grey’s Anatomy reunion with his former co-star Jesse Williams during the ceremony. However, Williams took the stage alone when Dane didn’t show up.

Their appearance was intended to commemorate the show’s 20th anniversary, but Williams ended up presenting the award for Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series solo, without acknowledging Dane’s absence.

The no-show raised concerns among fans who were eager to see Dane make his first appearance at a major awards event since he publicly shared his ALS diagnosis.

A source told Deadline that Dane stepped down from presenting duties last minute, likely on the day of the awards show.

The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Dane for comment about his absence but have not yet heard back. 

Eric Dane sparked concern after he was absent from the 2025 Emmys despite a scheduled appearance; pictured at the premiere of Countdown in June

‘Wait Eric Dane was suppose to present with Jesse Williams,’ one person tweeted with a string of sobbing emojis.

‘The fact that Eric Dane didn’t show up makes me sad and worried for him tbh,’ another said. 

‘I hope Eric is well. He was scheduled to present with Jesse Williams,’ another posted.

‘I thought eric dane was presenting with jesse? hope he’s okay,’ one said.

In April, Dane opened up about his struggle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a rare and incurable neurological disease that gradually deteriorates muscle function and affects physical abilities.

About half of ALS patients have a life expectancy of three years after the initial onset of symptoms, though some can survive for decades.

Dane announced, ‘I have been diagnosed with ALS,’ in a statement to People. ‘I am fortunate to have the support of my loving family as we face this new chapter together.’

This revelation came a month after Dane and his wife Rebecca Gayheart, with whom he has daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13, decided to halt their divorce proceedings.

The Emmys appearance was set to be a mini Grey’s Anatomy reunion with former co-star Jesse Williams

Fans expressed concern over Dane’s absence

Williams ended up taking the stage on his own to present the award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series

‘I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to set of Euphoria next week,’ said Dane, a longstanding star of the HBO series. ‘I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time.’

During a subsequent interview with Diane Sawyer, Dane revealed he had been struck with paralysis.

He said in the June broadcast: ‘I have one functioning arm. My left side is functioning. My right side, [which is my dominant side], has completely stopped working.

‘[My left arm] is going. I feel like maybe a couple, a few more months and I won’t have my left hand either. Sobering. I’m worried about my legs.’

The news came a month after Dane and his wife Rebecca Gayheart – with whom he shares daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13 – called off their divorce; pictured 2017

A few days after the interview aired, Dane made his first red carpet appearance since announcing his diagnosis for the premiere of his police procedural Countdown.  

‘I feel good,’ he told Variety at the event. 

‘It’s nice to be here with everybody and see the hours and hours of work that we put into this come alive on screen,’ he added. 

Dane was bent on continuing to act despite his health battle.  

‘It always feels great to be on a set. It’s great to be employed. I love what I give. I’m going to keep doing it.’