Patrick Dempsey reveals Eric Danes ALS battle…
Patrick Dempsey has revealed that Eric Dane’s devastating battle with ALS made it exhausting for the previous “Grey’s Anatomy” co-stars to reunite for a new show that launched over the weekend.
“I spoke to him a few weeks ago. I’ve been texting with him,” Dempsey, 60, told Parade during an interview revealed Wednesday.
Patrick Dempsey visits SiriusXM Studios in New York City on Jan. 28, 2026. Getty Images
Patrick Dempsey and Eric Dane together in “Grey’s Anatomy.” ABC
“We were trying to get him in [“Memory of a Killer”], but sadly, the development of his disease made it just about not possible,” Dempsey continued. “But I was happy to see that he was here in Toronto working on, I think, another medical drama.”
Dane, 53, was unable to seem alongside Dempsey in “Memory of a eliminateer,” which premiered on Fox Sunday evening, due to his ALS battle.
However, the “Euphoria” actor was in a position to visitor star as a 9/11 hero firefighter recognized with the debilitating disease in an episode of the NBC collection “Brilliant Minds” that aired this past November.
Dempsey went on to open up about his fellow “Grey’s Anatomy” alum’s ongoing battle with ALS and how Dane has been handling the heartbreaking diagnosis.
Patrick Dempsey in “Memory of a eliminateer.” ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
Eric Dane in “Brilliant Minds.” Pief Weyman/NBC
“It’s very hard for him, but I do try to stay in touch and see how he’s doing,” the actor shared. “I think he’s been incredibly courageous in the face of this horrible disease.”
“He’s such a wonderful human being,” Dempsey continued. “He has such a great sense of humor, and he’s so intelligent. I’ve always enjoyed working and being around Eric.”
Dempsey went on to call Dane’s ALS battle “heartbreaking” for both the “Charmed” alum and his household.
Patrick Dempsey and Eric Dane in “Grey’s Anatomy.” ABC
Kevin McKidd, Patrick Dempsey and Eric Dane in “Grey’s Anatomy.” ABC
“You feel for them when you see this terrible disease and how quickly it attacks the body,” Dempsey said. “But he’s bringing a lot of light to that, and he’s using his platform in a positive way.”
“I wish him the best,” he concluded.
Dempsey, who portrayed Dr. Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd, and Dane, who performed Dr. Mark “McSteamy” Sloan, starred together in “Grey’s Anatomy” from Dane’s start as a collection common during Season 3 in 2006 until his exit during the premiere of Season 9 in 2012.
As for Dempsey, he appeared as a main solid member from the show’s starting in 2005 until his departure during Season 11 in 2015.
Eric Dane shared his devastating ALS diagnosis with the world in April 2025 BACKGRID
Shortly before the “Enchanted” star’s interview with Parade this week, it was revealed that Dane had to drop out of an ALS event at the last minute “due to the physical realities” of the lethal disease.
Dane, who first shared his diagnosis with the world in April 2025, was set to obtain the Advocate of the Year Award at the ALS Network’s Champions for remedies and Care Gala on Saturday.
“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,” a spokesperson for the group told The Hollywood Reporter over the weekend.
The “Euphoria” star had to drop out of an ALS event at the last minute over the weekend. BACKGRID
“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 ALS Network added.
Dane, who now makes use of a wheelchair and has only one functioning arm, has made it his mission to discuss about his ALS diagnosis to help others.
Although the “Charmed” alum famous that his household, including estranged spouse Rebecca Gayheart and their two daughters, is still his “priority,” he also made sure to emphasize that discussing ALS is “such a big deal” to him as nicely.
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