Late Actor Eric Dane Details Misdiagnosis Before ALS in New Memoir
The late Grey's Anatomy star shares his medical journey, family life, and bond with Rebecca Gayheart in his posthumous autobiography.
Late actor Eric Dane was initially misdiagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder before learning he had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a harrowing medical journey detailed in his posthumous memoir, My Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments. Released on Tuesday, November 3, the book recounts how the television star first sought medical attention after gradually losing the use of his right hand.
According to the memoir, Dane visited multiple hand specialists before being referred to a neurologist who initially suspected neuropathy. Following a battery of tests, including an electromyography, doctors reached a diagnostic consensus of multifocal motor neuropathy. The actor recalled feeling hopeful because treatments for the rare autoimmune condition were widely considered effective.
However, after failing to respond to treatment, his medical team grew concerned and raised the possibility of ALS. Frustrated by the uncertainty, Dane underwent additional procedures, including a lumbar puncture and brain scans, before receiving his official ALS diagnosis in 2024. He described the devastating news as a death sentence and likened the ordeal to a horror movie.
Dane publicly revealed his diagnosis in April 2025 and passed away on February 19, 2026, at the age of 53. Penguin Random House confirmed that the actor completed the manuscript right up until the end of his life.
The memoir also explores Dane's personal life, particularly his enduring relationship with Rebecca Gayheart. The couple married in Las Vegas in 2004 and welcomed daughters Billie and Georgia after navigating several miscarriages. Although Gayheart filed for divorce in 2018 and the two lived separate lives, they never signed the final papers and remained close coparents.
When Dane received his terminal diagnosis, Gayheart was among the first people he called. He praised her steadfast support throughout his battle with the progressive neurological disease, describing her in the book as his rock, champion, and best friend who remained by his side daily.
The publication offers readers an intimate look into Dane's final years, balancing the tragedy of his health decline with reflections on his career, family bonds, and the unconventional dynamic he shared with Gayheart until his passing.