Eric Dane Makes Emotional TV Return In A Role Inspired By His ALS Diagnosis

The “Grey’s Anatomy” star received a “10-minute standing ovation” after filming one of the episode’s more poignant scenes.

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.”