Eric Dane has shared that one of the most frightening moments of his ALS battle happened in the water, when he suddenly found he could no longer swim and his daughter had to help rescue him.
The former “Grey’s Anatomy” actor described the harrowing episode in his forthcoming memoir, “My Book of Days: A Memoir of Moments,” which shows how the illness gradually stripped away abilities he had always taken for granted.
In an exclusive excerpt released by PEOPLE, Dane wrote about a 2024 vacation in Antigua where he ran into trouble while in the water. His daughter, Georgia, along with one of her friends, came to his aid after he realized he was unable to swim.
The experience hit Dane hard, forcing him to face how drastically ALS was altering his body and cutting into his independence.
He also remembered phoning his estranged wife, Rebecca Gayheart, after the scare, and the two cried together as they tried to come to terms with how close he had come to disaster.
Dane publicly announced his ALS diagnosis in April 2025. The progressive neurodegenerative disease attacks the nerve cells that control voluntary muscle movement.
He passed away at age 53 after his long fight with the disease. His family said at the time that he would be deeply missed and always lovingly remembered, adding that he cherished his fans and was thankful for the support they showed him.
Best known for portraying Dr. Mark Sloan on “Grey’s Anatomy” and Cal Jacobs on “Euphoria,” Dane went on to use his public profile to raise awareness about ALS.
His memoir stands as a tribute to the family moments that meant the most to him as the disease took away his daily abilities and, ultimately, his life.
