Eric Dane Explains Why He Was Absent at Emmys Despite Planned ‘Grey’s Anatomy’s’ Tribute

Eric Dane is finally addressing why he did not attend the 2025 Emmys after being scheduled to hit the stage alongside Jesse Williams to pay tribute to the 20th anniversary of Grey’s Anatomy.

In a Thursday interview with The Washington Post, Dane opens up about missing the awards show. “ALS is a nasty disease… So I was in the hospital during the Emmys getting stitches put in my head,” he said.

The actor went on to say that he was disappointed to miss the Grey’s Anatomy tribute. “I missed an opportunity I was really looking forward to. It would have been great to see Jesse and get reunited with some of my peers, and to be able to present in front of my colleagues I thought would have a been special moment,” Dane said. “So I was a really upset about it, but you know, there was nothing I could do about it.”

Dane and Williams were supposed to jointly present the Emmy for drama series director, which ultimately went to Adam Randall for Slow Horses, and celebrate the ABC medical drama, which made its debut in March 2005. Dane joined the cast in season two as Dr. Mark Sloan, while Williams joined the show in season six as Dr. Jackson Avery.

Dane revealed he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in April. During a Good Morning America interview with Diane Sawyer, he revealed he had lost function in his right arm and was additionally worried about weakness on the left side of his body. 

“My left side is functioning, my right side has completely stopped working,” he said during the interview. “I feel like maybe a couple more months and I won’t have my left hand either. It’s sobering.”

Formerly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, the neurological disorder affects motor neurons, a type of nerve cell in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement and breathing, according to the National Institutes of Health. 

At the time of his diagnosis, Dane told People he felt “fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to set of Euphoria next week.” He’s set to star in season three of the HBO hit, reprising his role of Cal Jacobs, father to Jacob Elordi’s Nate Jacobs.