Eric Dane Got a 10-Minute Standing Ovation for His TV Return
McSteamy is back on a medical drama … but this time as a patient. The November 24 episode of NBC’s Brilliant Minds stars Grey’s Anatomy alum Eric Dane as Matthew, a 9/11 firefighter who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This marks Dane’s first TV role since sharing that he is living with the neurodegenerative disease, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in April. In the episode, Matthew struggles to tell his ex-wife and daughter about his diagnosis. According to show creator Michael Grassi, watching Dane film a scene where his character shares his changing perspective on asking for help was so moving that the cast and crew got on their feet and applauded. “I have never seen this happen in my entire career, but he essentially got a ten-minute standing ovation after shooting that scene, because it was so beautiful and so honest and so real,” Grassi recalled to USA Today. “Also, while his character’s finding bravery, there’s a lot of bravery in Eric to tell the story as well. To come out and share this part of yourself is vulnerable but also really important, and I think raises awareness and shows people that they’re not alone.”
Dane, who filmed his episode of Brilliant Minds in October and is next set to appear in the long-delayed third season of Euphoria, has partnered with the grassroots organization I Am ALS in hopes of accelerating ALS research, expanding access to treatments, and securing $1 billion in federal funding. He previously told Diane Sawyer in June that he has lost complete control over his right arm due to ALS, reflecting that he is “angry” about his diagnosis because he has two teenage daughters. “I want to see them graduate college, get married, maybe even have grandkids,” the 53-year-old actor said in a September meeting about ALS with California representative Eric Swalwell. “I want to be there for all that, so I’m going to fight until the last breath on this one.”
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