# Eric Dane Ignored First ALS Symptom With Chopsticks

> Eric Dane ignored early ALS symptoms with chopsticks before diagnosis.
- Title: Eric Dane Ignored First ALS Symptom With Chopsticks | Shortify
- Summary: Eric Dane ignored early ALS symptoms with chopsticks before diagnosis. Eric Dane ignored his first ALS symptom with chopsticks in January 2024, leading to a…
- Keywords: eric dane, als, lou gehrig disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, june 2025, february 2026, rebecca gayheart-dane, billie dane, georgia dane, i am als, emmys, hbo
- Source: E! Online — https://eonline.com/news/1437435/eric-dane-ignored-first-als-symptom-with-chopsticks-pre-diagnosis-memoir
- Published: 2026-10-23T22:39:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: eric dane, als, lou gehrig disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, june 2025, february 2026, rebecca gayheart-dane, billie dane, georgia dane, i am als, emmys, hbo
## First ALS Symptom
Eric Dane experienced his first ALS symptom while eating sushi with his children in January 2024.

> i’m eating sushi with my kids and suddenly i can’t work the chopsticks with my right hand
## Ignored Symptom
Dane believed the symptom was a temporary nerve issue caused by excessive texting.

> some kind of weird nerve thing
## Symptom Worsened
Three weeks later, Dane could no longer grip chopsticks at all.

> three weeks later it happens again only worse i can’t grip the chopsticks at all
## Diagnosis
Dane was diagnosed with ALS by Dr. Mark Terrelonge at the University of California, San Francisco in April 2025.

> i have been diagnosed with als i am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter
## Family Support
Rebecca Gayheart-Dane remained his strongest support, calling him her biggest champion and most stalwart supporter.

> i call rebecca i talk to her every day we have managed to become better friends and better parents
## Continued Work
Dane continued filming the final season of HBO's series while managing his health condition.

> i feel great when i'm at work of course there have been some sort of setbacks but i feel pretty good
## Progression
Dane's right side stopped working, with his left side functioning for a few more months.

> my left side is functioning my right side has completely stopped working i feel like maybe a couple more months i won’t have my left hand either
## Emmys Absence
Dane missed the 2025 Emmys due to a hospital visit for head stitches.

> als is a nasty disease so i was in the hospital during the emmys getting stitches put in my head
## Family Concerns
Dane expressed fear about his daughters' futures due to his ALS progression.

> i'm angry because my father was taken from me when i was young and now there's a very good chance i'm going to be taken from my girls while they're very young
## Death
Dane died on February 19, 2026, after a year-long battle with ALS.

> eric dane died on february 19 at age 53 following his yearlong battle with als
## Key takeaway

Eric Dane ignored his first ALS symptom with chopsticks in January 2024, leading to a diagnosis in April 2025 and his death in February 2026.