Eric Dane returned to television this week with a role that didn’t shy away from his recent health issues.
The “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Euphoria” actor appeared on NBC’s medical drama “Brilliant Minds,” which stars Zachary Quinto, on Monday. He portrayed a firefighter named Matthew Ramati who initially refuses to tell his family he’s been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly referred to as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease.
The role was a very personal one for Dane, who went public with his own ALS diagnosis in April. The disease attacks the nervous system, progressively making it harder for people to walk, talk and eventually breathe. There is currently no cure.
In an interview with Deadline, “Brilliant Minds” creator and showrunner Michael Grassi said he got the idea for Matthew’s storyline after a phone call from Dane’s team.
“I was so excited by the opportunity to tell a story with him and what he’s currently dealing with,” Grassi, whose credits include “Schitt’s Creek” and “Riverdale,” told the outlet. “So Eric and I had a series of conversations, and funny enough, our first Zoom, I had to fly home for a family emergency with a family member dealing with a difficult diagnosis, and I Zoomed from that family member’s house, and I remember our conversations very quickly started circling this very simple idea of what is it like for a family to navigate a difficult diagnosis.”
In a separate interview with USA Today, Grassi said Dane received a “10-minute standing ovation” from the show’s cast members and crew after filming one of the episode’s more poignant scenes.
“Also, while his character’s finding bravery, there’s a lot of bravery in Eric to tell the story as well,” he said. “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.”
Since addressing his diagnosis, Dane has emerged as an outspoken advocate for others with ALS. Last month, he met with Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) in Washington, D.C., as part of his work with the nonprofit organization I AM ALS.
And the actor, who shares daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13, with wife Rebecca Gayheart, has said his hopes for his family have kept him motivated.
“I have two daughters at home,” he said, as seen in a TikTok video of his meeting with Swalwell. “I want to see them, you know, graduate college, and get married and maybe have [my] grandkids. You know, I want to be there for all that. So I’m going to fight to the last breath on this one.”
Now in its second season, “Brilliant Minds” is inspired by the work of legendary British neurologist Oliver Sacks, who died in 2015 at age 82. The series has received widespread acclaim for its nuanced take on mental health as well as Quinto’s portrayal of its protagonist, Dr. Oliver Wolf, who is based on Sacks.
