Ellen Pompeo candidly recalled the conversation she had with her former Grey’s Anatomy castmate Eric Dane shortly after learning of his ALS diagnosis.
The 56-year-old actress, who starred alongside Dane on the hit medical series for six seasons, opened up about the topic for the ALS Network Champions for Cures & Care Gala which took place last week, per People.
Dane publicly announced his diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) last year in April.
In a pre-taped message that was shared to attendees at the event, Pompeo admitted that she ‘fell in love’ with the actor when he joined the Grey’s Anatomy cast in season two as Dr. Mark Sloan.
‘I remember when he came in as McSteamy and us having instant electric chemistry, and I immediately just fell in love with him,’ Pompeo said.
The moment she learned of his ALS diagnosis, she immediately reached out to Dane, 53 – and less then a minute later he called her.
Ellen Pompeo, 56, candidly recalled the conversation she had with her former Grey’s Anatomy castmate Eric Dane shortly after learning of his ALS diagnosis; seen in 2025 in West Hollywood
In a pre-taped message that was shared to attendees at the event, Pompeo admitted that she ‘fell in love’ with the actor when he joined the Grey’s Anatomy cast in season two as Dr. Mark Sloan
‘As soon as I heard about his diagnosis, I texted him, and I said, “I’m here if you want to speak.” And my phone rang 30 seconds later.’
During their conversation, Pompeo also told Dane that she is there for him for ‘whatever you need, however I can help. I love you.’
In the pre-taped video shared at the gala, the actress also sent Dane a personal message.
‘I’m really proud of you. I love you so much and I am honored to get to speak about you today.’
Pompeo has been playing the character of Dr. Meredith Grey since Grey’s Anatomy first aired in 2005, although her role on the series has been scaled back in recent seasons.
In 2006, Dane joined the show as Dr. Sloan but officially left during season 9 after his character died in a plane crash.
Dane had been honored with the Advocate of the Year Award at the ceremony, but was not able to attend the event due to the ‘physical realities’ of the debilitating disease.
ALS is ‘a nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord’ and can ’cause loss of muscle control,’ per Mayo Clinic.
During their conversation, Pompeo also told Dane that she is there for him for ‘whatever you need, however I can help. I love you’; seen in 2025 in West Hollywood
In 2006, Dane joined the show as Dr. Sloan but officially left during season 9 after his character died in a plane crash
Dane had been honored with the Advocate of the Year Award at the ceremony, but was not able to attend the event due to the ‘physical realities’ of the debilitating disease; seen in 2019 in Texas
A spokesperson for the ALS Network issued a statement to The Hollywood Reporter in regards to Dane’s absence while applauding both his ‘courage’ and ‘advocacy.’
‘The ALS Network has been informed that Eric Dane had hoped to join us this evening to accept his Advocate of the Year Award, but due to the physical realities of ALS, he is not well enough to attend.
‘We remain deeply grateful for his courage, advocacy, and continued commitment to the ALS community, and we honor him fully this evening with our profound respect and support.’
The statement concluded with, ‘Aaron Lazar, Broadway star and Grammy Award nominee, will accept the award on his behalf.’
A separate statement also shared online read: ‘Through his advocacy, Eric has brought international attention to ALS, helping strengthen @youralsnetwork’s urgent mission to provide care, resources, and hope to families impacted by this disease.
‘Thank you, Eric, for your leadership and compassion!’
Dane offered his response and said, ‘This award is more than an honor – it is a reflection of the incredible strength and courage I see in the ALS community every day.’
The actor’s love interest on Grey’s Anatomy – played by Kate Walsh – also opened up about how she ‘reached out’ to Dane amid his battle with ALS.
‘It’s so painful. It’s really sad,’ the actress told Variety during an interview late last month in January.
The actor’s love interest on Grey’s Anatomy – played by Kate Walsh – also opened up about how she ‘reached out’ to Dane amid his battle with ALS; the pair seen above on the medical drama series
‘I haven’t been in touch with him, but I’ve reached out and sent my love and support and strength. It’s so heartbreaking.’
She further expressed that the Euphoria actor is ‘a beautiful person’ as well as ‘an incredible man.’
‘I’ve had other friends that have battled with this disease, and it’s just horrific. So my heart goes out to him. I keep him, his family, his girls, in my prayers.’
Patrick Dempsey – who also formerly starred on Grey’s Anatomy and worked alongside Dane – gave an update on his former castmate while recently talking to Parade.
‘It’s very hard for him, but I do try to stay in touch and see how he’s doing,’ he said, before sharing that he wanted Dane to have a part in his new thriller series Memory Of A Killer.
But Dempsey explained that ‘unfortunately, the progression of his disease made it virtually impossible.’
However, Dane took on a guest role as a firefighter with ALS in an episode of Brilliant Minds which aired late last year.
The Enchanted actor also added, ‘He’s been incredibly courageous in the face of this horrible disease. He’s such a wonderful human being.
‘He has such a great sense of humor, and he’s so intelligent. I’ve always enjoyed working and being around Eric.’
‘I’ve had other friends that have battled with this disease, and it’s just horrific. So my heart goes out to him. I keep him, his family, his girls, in my prayers,’ Walsh added; Dane seen with daughters Georgia and Billie in 2024 in Hollywood
Dempsey also added, ‘He’s been incredibly courageous in the face of this horrible disease. He’s such a wonderful human being’
Dane shares daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14, with estranged wife Rebecca Gayheart.
The pair married in 2004 and she filed for divorce in February 2018. But in March of last year – one month before he announced his ALS battle – she dismissed the petition.
Late last year in December, it was revealed that the actor is set to release a memoir about the challenges of ALS.
Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments is set to be released under Maria Shriver’s The Open Field, a subset of Penguin Random House, sometime in 2026 – although an official date has yet to be confirmed.