Eric Dane is channeling his personal hardships into his art. The actor portrayed firefighter Matthew Rimati, who is battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known as ALS on the series Brilliant Minds on November 24. Eric has a personal connection to his new character because he too has ALS.

© Getty Images Eric was diagnosed with ALS in April 2025

ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that negatively affects a person's nerve cells that are located in the spinal cord and brain, and it causes the progressive degeneration of the motor neurons, per the ALS Association . When the number of motor neurons decreases, a person begins to lose their muscle's ability to eat, move, speak or breathe.

© FilmMagic He has been transparent about his struggles with ALS

Eric was diagnosed with ALS

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