Actor Eric Dane Dies of ALS at 53; NFL Star Chris Johnson Also Diagnosed
Actor Eric Dane died of ALS at age 53 in February 2026, less than a year after announcing his diagnosis. Former NFL star Chris Johnson also revealed his ALS diagnosis at age 39. The cases highlight the neurodegenerative disease, which affects about 33,000 people in the U.S. and has no cure.
Actor Eric Dane, known for his roles in "Grey's Anatomy" and "Euphoria," died on February 19, 2026, at age 53 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), less than a year after publicly announcing his diagnosis. The death of Dane, who became an advocate for ALS awareness, brings renewed attention to the neurodegenerative disease, which also recently claimed the diagnosis of former NFL star Chris Johnson.
Dane announced his ALS diagnosis in April 2025, describing his initial symptom as weakness in his right hand, which he initially attributed to fatigue. By June 2025, he had lost function in his right arm and within months required a wheelchair. Until his death, Dane remained a patient advocate for ALS research. Posthumously, a video titled "Famous Last Words" was released in which he stated, "This disease is slowly taking my body, but it will never take my spirit." He was named the recipient of the ALS Network Advocate of the Year Award last September.
Former NFL running back Chris Johnson has revealed he was diagnosed with ALS last year at the age of 39. Johnson, a three-time Pro Bowl player nicknamed CJ2K, told ABC's "Good Morning America" that the disease has progressed rapidly, and he now uses a speech-generating device based on recordings of his voice to speak. "There's no history of ALS in my family," Johnson said. "My doctors believe my case is what's called sporadic ALS, which is actually how the vast majority of ALS cases happen." Johnson played 10 seasons in the NFL and is one of only seven players in league history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a single season (2009).
ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that destroys motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement. According to National ALS Registry data, about 33,000 estimated cases existed in 2022, and the number of individuals living with ALS is projected to rise by more than 10% by 2030. The disease is about 20% more common in men than women, and most people develop it between the ages of 55 and 75.
Diagnostic delays for ALS have been reported to range from 9.1 to 27 months, with many patients diagnosed after approximately 40% of the total disease duration has elapsed. The average survival after diagnosis is approximately 3 years, though about 5% to 10% of patients may live 20 years or longer. Approximately 5% to 10% of ALS cases are familial, with genetic mutations identified in about two-thirds of these cases; C9orf72 and SOD1 mutations are the most common.
Several treatments have been approved for ALS. Riluzole (Rilutek) was approved in 1995, and edaravone (Radicava) was approved in 2017. In 2023, the FDA approved tofersen (Qalsody) for ALS patients with a SOD1 mutation. The HEALEY ALS platform trial, launched in 2020, has enrolled more than 1,300 participants and has tested seven treatments to date, providing an efficient model for evaluating multiple investigational products simultaneously. Researchers emphasize the need for reliable biomarkers to enable earlier diagnosis and monitor treatment response.