Patrick Dempsey says his Grey's Anatomy co-star Eric Dane's ALS progressed so much it made it "virtually impossible" for him to have a role in his new TV show
The pair starred in the hit ABC medical drama together and amid the 53-year-old actor's battle with the progressive neurodegenerative disease Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness and atrophy, Dempsey has provided an update on his close friend is doing, describing his condition as "heartbreaking", and revealing he wasn't able to film Memory of a Killer.
2 February 2026
He told Parade: "I spoke to him a few weeks ago.
"We were trying to get him in [Memory of a Killer], but unfortunately, the progression of his disease made it virtually impossible. But I was happy to see that he was here in Toronto working on, I think, another medical drama [Brilliant Minds]."
"It's very hard for him, but I do try to stay in touch and see how he's doing."
Although he couldn't do the psychological thriller, Dane guest-starred in Brilliant Minds as someone with ALS.
Dempsey said: "He's been incredibly courageous in the face of this horrible disease.
"He's such a wonderful human being. He has such a great sense of humour, and he's so intelligent. I've always enjoyed working and being around Eric."
Despite how "heartbreaking" it is for him and his family - including his daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14, with ex Rebecca Gayheart - Dempsey hailed Dane - who was recently forced to skip an ASL event due to the "physical realities" of the disease - for "positive" and still having sense of humour.
He added: "It's heartbreaking. It really is. For him and for his family. You feel for them when you see this terrible disease and how quickly it attacks the body. But he's bringing a lot of light to that, and he's using his platform in a positive way."
He was diagnosed in April last year.
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