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Eric Dane’s widow Rebecca Gayheart details first ALS symptom she noticed before his diagnosis
Rebecca Gayheart says she first became concerned about Eric Dane when he began having headaches, months before he noticed weakness in his hand. The account adds to what is known about the early signs of his ALS, a progressive disease he was diagnosed with in 2024 and died from in February.
Dane recalled that his right hand tingled and went numb while he was trying to use chopsticks at dinner; within three weeks, he could no longer grip them. Doctors initially diagnosed multifocal motor neuropathy and treated him for it, but he did not improve. After further tests, including a lumbar puncture and brain scans, he received an ALS diagnosis nine months later. He and Gayheart, who have two daughters, had filed to dismiss their divorce in April 2025.
In short
- Gayheart noticed Dane’s headaches before his hand weakness.
- Dane traced his first symptom to trouble using chopsticks.
- His ALS diagnosis came after nine months of tests.
Explained simply
ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive disease that damages the nerve cells controlling voluntary movement. It can cause muscles to weaken over time, affecting tasks such as gripping objects, speaking and breathing; the course varies between people.
Eric Dane was an American actor, known for roles in Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria. He was married to actor Rebecca Gayheart, and they have two daughters. His account of his illness included tingling and numbness in his right hand, while Gayheart later described noticing headaches before his diagnosis.
Early ALS symptoms can be difficult to identify because they may resemble signs of other conditions, and diagnosis can involve tests to rule out alternatives. Understanding the early stages can help explain why symptoms and medical assessments may unfold over time.