Netizens have expressed concern for Eric Dane after seeing him step out in public for the first time since he spoke about his ALS diagnosis, and asked for privacy for him and his family.
Recently, Hollywood star Eric Dane, 52, stepped out in Los Angeles, California, to visit a friend, according to reports. This marks his first public appearance since revealing his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis. The “Euphoria” actor’s physical appearance sparked a wave of strong reactions online from netizens who expressed worry over how much weight he has lost and how fragile he looks.
Clad in a relaxed cream cardigan layered over a plain white t-shirt, Dane was photographed standing quietly on the sidewalk beside a friend. The actor’s casual beige trousers and black sneakers rounded out a look that felt unassuming and subdued.
The 52-year-old, who also wore reading glasses around his neck as well as a pair framing his eyes, appeared visibly slimmer, with a slightly hunched posture and hands loosely clenched by his sides.
With his salt-and-pepper hair and white beard neatly trimmed, and his calm expression, Dane gave off a quiet resolve — a man perhaps trying to find normalcy in a moment shadowed by uncertainty.
His friend, dressed in a bold red sports shirt, cap, and black shades, seemed to offer a steady presence as they stood together outside. The duo was captured staring at a camera beside a vehicle out of view.
The images of Dane’s outing quickly circulated online, drawing a wave of emotional reactions from netizens. Many were struck by the visible changes in his appearance. One person remarked, “He looks thin,” while another observed, “Is it me or has he lost weight and looking fragile already? Oh boy how awful [sic]!”
Echoing the concern, someone else wrote, “He looks so frail. 😢.” A few online spectators were taken aback by how swiftly the illness seems to have progressed.
“It’s gotten ahold [sic] of him quick. ❤️,” opined one commenter, while another penned, “This is soul crushing [sic].” Others expressed heartfelt sorrow and disbelief, with comments ranging from shock and sadness to supportive words and prayers for the actor’s strength.
Among them were calls for privacy and respect, with one Instagrammer simply stating, “How sad. Leave him alone 😢🙏🏻.”
Amid the outpouring, a mix of grief and affection lingered across the responses — from the anguished, “Not Eric Daneeeee [sic] 😭,” to messages of encouragement and well wishes such as, “Prayers and blessings 🙏🏻✝️.” The emotional tone reflected just how deeply Dane’s public reveal had affected countless people.
Earlier this month (April), Dane publicly shared that he has been diagnosed with ALS, revealing the news in an exclusive interview with People magazine. “I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter,” added the “One Fast Move” talent.
Known for his roles in “Grey’s Anatomy” and, more recently, as Cal Jacobs in HBO’s “Euphoria,” Dane has chosen to maintain a sense of normalcy amid the life-altering diagnosis.
In the same interview, he shared his determination to continue working, divulging, “I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to set [sic] of ‘Euphoria’ next week.” According to People, production for the highly anticipated third season of the hit drama began on April 14, 2025.
Dane’s family has been a pillar of strength during this time. He shares two daughters, 15-year-old Billie Beatrice and 13-year-old Georgia Geraldine, with his wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart.
While speaking to the media outlet, Dane also made a heartfelt plea, “I kindly ask that you give my family and I [sic] privacy during this time.”
ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a rare and progressive neurodegenerative illness that gradually destroys the nerve cells responsible for voluntary muscle movement.
According to the Mayo Clinic, early signs often include muscle twitching or weakness in a limb, followed by slurred speech, but the condition eventually strips away a person’s ability to speak, walk, eat, and breathe independently. This is so because the illness affects nerve cells in the spine and brain.
As per the Muscular Dystrophy Association, unfortunately, there is no cure for ALS. While the average life expectancy post-diagnosis is typically three to five years, some individuals have defied the odds and lived much longer.
Aside from Dane, several other public figures have been diagnosed with the disease. Among them are former NFL player, Eric Stevens, late iconic artist, Roberta Flack, late “Jericho” star, Kenneth Mitchell, and late legendary singer, Joe Bonsall.
The late physicist, Stephen Hawking, also famously battled ALS for a significant amount of time, redefining what long-term survival could look like in rare cases.
For Dane, going public with his diagnosis appears to be as much about transparency as it is about resilience. His willingness to continue engaging with both his craft and the public — even amid personal hardship — has only deepened the support he has received from his fans thus far.
