‘Euphoria‘ Star Eric Dane Brings ALS Awareness to Television, Amplifies Advocacy Efforts
LOS ANGELES – Actor Eric Dane, known for his role in the HBO series “Euphoria,” is bringing heightened visibility to Amyotrophic Lateral sclerosis (ALS) through a guest appearance on the medical drama “The Good Doctor,” portraying a patient living with the disease. The role comes as Dane actively champions ALS awareness and research funding through his partnership with the advocacy organization I AM ALS.
Dane’s portrayal builds on a history of impactful representation for ALS, dating back to gary Cooper‘s depiction of New York Yankees first baseman lou Gehrig in the 1942 film “The Pride of the Yankees,” which significantly raised public understanding of the then-less-known condition-often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s disease.” Dane hopes his current role will similarly “spark more compassion, research, and urgency to make ALS livable and, ultimately, to cure it,” he stated.
The actor’s advocacy extends beyond on-screen representation. He recently helped launch the “Push for Progress” campaign with I AM ALS, aiming to secure $1 billion in federal funding over three years to accelerate ALS treatment and research. Dane also lobbied Congress in October for the renewal of the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act – ACT for ALS, set to expire in 2026.
“For over a century,ALS has been incurable,and we’re done accepting the status quo,” Dane said in an I AM ALS press release. “That’s why I’ve partnered with I AM ALS and their Push for Progress.”
Dagmar Munn, an ALS News Today columnist diagnosed with ALS in 2010, supports actors continuing to work while living with the condition. “Their presence helps to keep the disease visible to the public by both mentioning the name ALS and watching how the symptoms affect their actions,” she said.
since Dane’s involvement, I AM ALS has reported “a huge increase” in engagement and volunteering, according to Rachael Kesler Palm, the organization’s director of marketing and communications. “His celebrity helps quite a bit,” Palm noted. ”It opens doors, and he’s aware of that.He is a star with so much visibility.”
Dane will be honored by the ALS Network as its Advocate of the Year in January.
