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‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Alum Eric Dane Opens Up On His ALS Diagnosis to Diane Sawyer on ‘Good Morning America’
On Monday’s Good Morning America, Eric Dane the former “Dr. McSteamy” of Grey’s Anatomy sat down with Diane Sawyer for his first interview since receiving the heartbreaking news of his ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) diagnosis.
In what turned out to be an extremely emotional conversation, Dane, 52 revealed that he started having symptoms a year and a half ago and underwent nine months of tests, and being bounced from doctor to doctor before receiving the diagnosis of ALS.
Dane explained he was initially having symptoms in his right hand. “I didn’t really think anything of it at the time,” Dane shared with Sawyer, “I thought maybe I’d been texting too much or my hand was fatigued, but a few weeks later I noticed it got a little worse.” He also recalled, “I went and saw a neurologist and the neurologist sent me to another neurologist and said, ‘’This is way above my pay grade.’”
Photo: JPI
“I will never forget those three letters,” Dane said of getting confirmation of his ALS diagnosis. “It’s on me the second I wake up. It’s not a dream.” The actor also revealed that he now only has one functioning arm, and on the other arm he is beginning to lose strength and coordination.
Eric had been married to actress Rebecca Gayheart (ex-Hannah, Loving) and they have two daughters, Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13. Gayheart filed for divorce in 2018 after the couple had been married since 2004. However, one month after Dane received his ALS diagnosis, she dismissed the divorce.
In another heartbreaking account, Eric recalls the time when he could not swim after he lost function in his legs while snorkeling, and needed his young daughter to rescue him to safety and back to the boat. “I was like, breaking down in tears. I made sure she got back to the water with her friend and continued on with the snorkeling. I was just heartbroken,” said Dane.
Photo: ABC
However, in the most gut-wrenching moment in the interview, when Sawyer asked who he speaks to to help him through the difficult times, he said it was Rebecca Gayheart. With tears in his eyes, Eric explained that he speaks Gayheart every day, adding, “We have managed to become better friends and better parents. She is probably my biggest champion and my most stalwart supporter. And I lean on her.”
Currently, Dane is set to continue filming his role on Cal Jacobs in season 3 of HBO’s hit drama, Euphoria. The actor is trying to stay present. “I’m fighting as much as I can. There’s so much about it that’s out of my control. I’m angry because my father was taken from me when I was young and now there’s a very good chance I’m going to be taken from my girls while they’re very young.”
Sadly, Dane’s father committed suicide when he was only 7-years-old, making his story more tragic since he understands not having a father around while growing up. As the interview concluded, Dane shared, “At the end of the day, all I want to do is spend time with my family and work a little bit if I can. They’re loved. They know it.”
Daytime fans know that ALS is the same disease that claimed the life of the iconic Michael Zaslow (ex-Roger, GL and ex-David, OLTL), and was also recently a storyline on General Hospital when the character of Gregory Chase played by Gregory Harrison succumbed to the disease.
Watch Eric Dane’s first interview since ALS diagnosis with Good Morning America below.
Now let us know, what did you think of Eric’s journey to learning he has ALS? Have you been a fan of Dane’s throughout his TV and film career? Comment below.
Prayers to him and his family, great actor and all, I hate to read this and know that he and his family are going through this ordeal. Your children and wife are strong and I pray that you somehow a miracle will occur and you get through this ordeal.
My first ALS symptom occurred in 2016, but was diagnosed in 2018. I had severe symptoms ranging from shortness of breath, balance problems, couldn’t walk without a walker or a power chair, i had difficulty swallowing and fatiue. I was given medications which helped but only for a short burst of time, then I decided to try alternative measures and began on ALS Formula treatment from Aknni herbs centre, It has made a tremendous difference for me (Visit ww w. aknniherbscentre.c om). I had improved walking balance, increased appetite, muscle strength, improved eyesight and others.
My first ALS symptom occurred in 2016, but was diagnosed in 2018. I had severe symptoms ranging from shortness of breath, balance problems, couldn’t walk without a walker or a power chair, i had difficulty swallowing and fatiue. I was given medications which helped but only for a short burst of time, then I decided to try alternative measures and began on ALS Formula treatment from Aknni herbs centre, It has made a tremendous difference for me (Visit ww w. aknniherbscentre.c om). I had improved walking balance, increased appetite, muscle strength, improved eyesight and others.
This is such a terrible diagnosis. My heart goes out to him and his family. Fortunately, it sounds like he has an excellent neurologist and treatment team. He has to stay positive and maintain what he has and make adaptations to keep him as independent as possible for as long as possible. I most definitely do remember with the last Michael Zaslow returned to One Life to Live with ALS. Prayers for Eric and his family.
Breaking News
Jacob Martinez is ‘Days of Our Lives’ New Javi Hernandez Replacing Al Calderon in the Role
Finally! The casting has been revealed as to just who would be Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Days of our Lives, Javi Hernandez. On Friday, April 30, the long-running soap opera revealed Jacob Martinez is taking on the part and he will first be seen this coming June 30th and then on all-new episodes streaming on Peacock.
As previously reported, the popular Calderon exited the soap opera last year to join the cast of the NBC primetime medical drama, Brilliant Minds as nurse Nico Silva, who in May will air the remainder of their second season. The series has been on the bubble for renewal by the network. His last episodes as Javi will also air this May on DAYS.
Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming, Martinez has been secretly ensconced in all the drama in Salem for quite some time. When viewers see the new Javi in story, we should learn what will happen in Javi’s relationship with Leo Stark played by Emmy winner, Greg Rikaart, plus his continued relationship with his relatives in the Hernandez clan. Currently, when Javi returned to Salem after taking care of his ailing father, and after the bust-up of his marriage to Leo thanks to Dimitri (Peter Porte), he claimed he had moved on with someone else while he was away from Salem.
Photo: JPI
Like Calderon before him, Martinez is a multi-talented actor and singer. Jacob’s resume is impressive having appeared in the musical In Pieces: The Musical at Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater and he was hand-picked by Joey Contreras to play the role of Grey. Other credits include: the short film, Memory Swim and the play Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage.
Martinez hails from Norfolk, Nebraska and appeared when he was very young at the Johnny Carson Theatre, and as DAYS fans know, Jacob is now working at the Days of our Lives studios, right where the “Tonight Show” is filled. In addition, Jacob Martinez is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).
Taking to his Instagram on Thursday, April 30 once the news of his casting was revealed, Martinez, expressed, “Way too many people to thank in one post, so I’ll just say THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART to each and every person who continues to pour into me and encourage me to chase my dreams. I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am. I already feel beyond blessed, supported, and loved. See you all in Salem ⏳”
Jacob Martinez appeared on Friday on the Days of our Lives Instagram account announcing his casting. You can check it out below. Deadline was the first to report the casting switch.
So, excited to learn who is the new Javi Hernandez? Please welcome Jacob Martinez to the role and be on the lookout for his debut on June 30. Comment below.
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This week starts with heartbreaking news. Patrick Muldoon, best known for his roles as the original Austin Reed on Days of Our Lives and later as Richard Hart on Melrose Place, died on Sunday, April 19, at the age of 57. Reports indicate his death was sudden following a heart attack.
Muldoon’s sister, Shana Muldoon-Zappa, told TMZ on Monday more details on her brother’s death, “Patrick went to take a shower Sunday morning after drinking coffee with his girlfriend in their Beverly Hills home. His girlfriend decided to check on him after he was taking too long and found him unconscious on the bathroom floor?” Shana added that paramedics rushed over and tried to revive Patrick, but there was nothing anyone could do.
Soap fans first saw Muldoon as Kate’s (Lauren Koslow) son on DAYS back in 1992, where he quickly became a fan favorite during the on-screen love story between Austin and Carrie Brady (Christie Clarke). Patrick left the series in 1995. He later made comeback for appearances in 2011 and 2012.
Photo: JPI
On Melrose Place, he played bad buy Richard Hart from 1995-1996. Patrick launched his acting career while in college landing the role of Matt in the 1990 sitcom Who’s The Boss? alongside the likes of Judith Light (ex-Karen, OLTL) and Tony Danza. Following his graduation, Patrick nabbed a recurring role as Jeffrey Hunter in Saved By The Bell by 1991.
Throughout his decades long career, Muldoon also starred in several motion and TV series including his leading roile in Starship Troopers (1997). He also had parts in Deadlock (2021), Vanquish (2021), Dakota (2022), Marlowe (2022), and Murder At Hollow Creek (2023).
Photo: JPI
Not only was Patrick an actors, but a producer and a musician and singer. He often made appearances and put out music with his band, The Sleeping Masses. Muldoon was the band’s lead singer and guitar player. Patrick was also a producer of TV and film projects.
At the time of his death, Patrick was also an executive producer on a the movie “Kockroach,” which is currently in production.
Taking to his Instagram, just a few days before his death, Muldoon expressed,“So excited to be a part of this amazing project KOCKROACH directed by Matt Ross starring Chris Hemsworth, Taron Edgerton, Zazzie Beetz And Alec Baldwin. Filming now in Australia,” he captioned his post.
Sadly, on April 24, Muldoon can be seen in his 2025 film Dirty Hands also festuring Denise Richards (ex-B&B, RHOBH), which will be released on digital streaming platforms on VOD.
Muldoon is survived by his partner, Miriam Rothbart; parents, Deanna and Patrick Muldoon Sr.; his sister and brother-in-law, Shana and Ahmet Zappa; and their children, Muldoon’s beloved niece Halo and nephew Arrow Zappa.
Share your remembrances and condolences on the loss of Patrick Muldoon via the comment section, which is followed below by the trailer Dirty Hands due out later this week on digital platforms.
All My Children and Hallmark alum, Jonathan Bennett has been cast in the newly-created role on General Hospital as Joe Fitzpatrick.
Look for Bennett to make his debut on the ABC soap opera next month in May. Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans for his work as JR Chandler on All My Children from 2000-2001. Later, he landed the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout role.
Jonathan would go on to star in seven Hallmark Channel movies and then hosting and producing the network’s reality competition show Finding Mr. Christmas, Bennett has also appeared as a contestant on Season 19 of Dancing with the Stars, plus Celebrity Big Brother in 2019, and he starred on Broadway in Spamalot.
Courtesy/ABC
Frank Valentini, the executive producer of General Hospital shared to Deadline who first reported the casting news, “We’re so excited to have Jonathan joining our cast. He’s a tremendous talent and will be a fantastic addition to ‘GH.’
After the news broke, Bennett took to his Instagram and shared, “There’s a new guy in town…” Meanwhile, the official General Hospital account shared a pic and expressed, “He’s already tired of us telling him his hair looks sexy pushed back. Welcome to the family, Jonathan Bennett.
Bennett is married to Jaymes Vaughan. Back in 2022, they became the first gay couple to appear on the cover of the wedding magazine, The Knot.
So, what do you think of the casting of Jonathan as Joe Fitzpatrick? Is he the new man for Lucas? Share your thoughts via the comment section.
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