Eric Dane Appears in "Brilliant Minds" as a Character Based on His Diagnosis

• Eric Dane played a firefighter with ALS in "Brilliant Minds".
• The episode highlights the symptoms of the disease and family relationships.
• The actor continues to work, regardless of his diagnosis.

Eric Dane, known for his role in the series Grey's Anatomy, recently appeared in the medical drama Brilliant Minds. In the series, which premiered on November 25, 2025, he played the character Matthew Ramati, a firefighter who is diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

The actor first shared information about his diagnosis in April 2025 and has already opened up about the symptoms he experiences. The episode showcased various manifestations of this neurodegenerative disease, including loss of hand function and difficulties with breathing.

Writer Michael Grassi noted that Dane's team reached out to them with concerns about the actor's involvement in the project. They discussed how families cope with serious diagnoses and how important it is to talk about support.

During the series, Matthew struggles to share his diagnosis with his family, as well as to celebrate holidays separately from his loved ones. The episode concludes with a touching moment when Matthew meets his colleagues in a firefighting vehicle.

Viewers expressed their emotions on social media, highlighting Dane's strong performance and the importance of the themes addressed in the episode. The actor continues to take on roles, including in the third season of the series Euphoria, despite the challenges related to his condition.

Tags: Culture