Eric Dane returns to television in a role that is not limited to ALS

Eric Dane returned to television this week with a role that didn’t shy away from his recent health problems.

The “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Euphoria” actor appeared Monday in the NBC medical drama “Brilliant Minds,” starring Zachary Quinto. He played a firefighter named Matthew Ramati who initially refuses to tell his family that he has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

The role was very personal for Dane, who went public with his own ALS diagnosis in April. The disease attacks the nervous system, making it progressively difficult for people to walk, talk and, eventually, breathe. Currently there is no cure.

In an interview with Deadline, “Brilliant Minds” creator and showrunner Michael Grassi said he came up with the idea for Matthew’s story after a phone call from Dane’s team.

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“I was very excited about the opportunity to tell a story with him and what he’s currently facing,” Grassi, whose credits include “Schitt’s Creek” and “Riverdale,” told the outlet. “So Eric and I had a series of conversations, and interestingly enough, on our first Zoom, I had to fly home for a family emergency with a family member facing a difficult diagnosis, and I Zoomed from that family member’s house, and I remember our conversations very quickly started to revolve around this very simple idea of ​​what it’s like for a family to face a difficult diagnosis.”

In a separate interview with USA Today, Grassi said Dane received a “10-minute standing ovation” from the show’s cast and crew members after filming one of the episode’s most moving scenes.

“Also, while his character finds bravery, Eric also finds a lot of bravery in telling the story,” he said. “Coming out and sharing this part of yourself is vulnerable but also very important, and I think it raises awareness and shows people that they are not alone.”

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Since addressing his diagnosis, Dane has become a strong 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 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,” she said, as seen in a TikTok video of her encounter with Swalwell. “I want to see them, you know, graduate from college, get married and maybe have [my] grandchildren. You know, I want to be there for all of that. “So I’m going to fight until my last breath in this case.”

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 praise for its nuanced view of mental health, as well as for Quinto’s portrayal of its protagonist, Dr. Oliver Wolf, who is based on Sacks.

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