Eric Dane Earns 10-Minute Standing Ovation on “Brilliant Minds” Set Amid ALS Diagnosis

Eric Dane, famous for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy, received a standing ovation from the cast and crew of Brilliant Minds after filming a guest appearance while openly sharing his battle with ALS.

The actor, age 53, played Matthew, a firefighter battling ALS, in an episode of the second season of NBC’s medical drama.

Earlier this year, Dane shared that he’s been diagnosed with ALS, a disease that slowly causes paralysis by damaging the nerves that control muscles.

The latest episode, filmed in October and broadcast on November 24th, shows Matthew having a hard time letting others help him, fearing he’ll become a weight on his family. He tells Dr. Oliver Wolf (played by Zachary Quinto), “Nobody gets through this, and I know how to look after my family.”

Michael Grassi, who created the show Brilliant Minds, told USA Today that Dane was a joy to work with. He explained that Dane always made the crew laugh and kept things lighthearted during breaks. After one especially moving scene, the entire cast and crew gave Dane a ten-minute standing ovation.

According to Grassi, the actor received a remarkable ten-minute standing ovation immediately after filming the scene. He described the performance as incredibly beautiful, honest, and realistic – something he’d never witnessed in all his years working in the industry.

Beyond his character discovering courage, Eric himself showed a lot of bravery by sharing his story. It takes vulnerability to be so open, but it’s incredibly important and helps others realize they aren’t isolated in their experiences.

Since learning about his condition, Dane has also been involved in raising awareness. Last September, he went to Washington, D.C., to speak with Representative

Eric Swalwell is backing a bill supported by the I Am ALS organization. Dane, speaking with the congressman, shared his personal motivation, saying, “I have two daughters and I want to be there for all of life’s big moments – seeing them graduate, get married, and maybe even meet my grandkids. That’s why I’m determined to fight for as long as I can.”

Dane’s recent role shines a light on his acting skills and his bravery in discussing his battle with ALS. By openly sharing his story, he raises awareness about the disease and inspires those going through similar experiences.

Read More

2025-11-26 12:45