Eric Dane is doing something most of us hope we never have to do: put a life-changing diagnosis on paper and let the world read it. The Grey's Anatomy and Euphoria star has ALS, and he is turning the day-to-day reality of it into a memoir, scheduled to hit shelves in 2026.
The book he is writing
Dane's memoir is titled 'Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments.' In a statement shared through Entertainment Weekly, he explains that the project is about capturing the small, specific days that add up to a life, not just the big moments. He wants readers to feel what it means to live with intention and heart, and if it helps even one person make sense of their own days, that is the point.
"I wake up every morning, and I'm immediately reminded that this is real - this illness, this challenge, and that's exactly why I'm writing this book."
It is a long runway to a 2026 release, but given what he is navigating, that timing tracks. He is not writing from a distance; he is writing from the middle of it.
Where his health stands
Dane is 53 and living with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. It is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease that attacks motor neurons and, over time, leads to paralysis. His condition has been getting worse, and he has been fairly open about that progression:
- April 2024: He publicly confirmed his ALS diagnosis and said he is grateful to have his family with him as they figure out what comes next.
- June 2024: He shared a difficult update, saying he has only one functioning arm left; his left side still works, while his right side has stopped.
- September 2024: He was photographed in a wheelchair in Washington, DC.
None of that is easy to read, and it makes the intent behind the book feel pretty clear: he is chronicling the beautiful days and the hard ones while he still can.
Where you know him from
If you were a Grey's Anatomy person, you know him as Dr. Mark 'McSteamy' Sloan, a role he originated in 2006 and even revisited years later in 2021. If you came in via HBO, he is Cal Jacobs on Euphoria. Before those, he popped up all over film and TV: The Last Ship on the small screen; X-Men: The Last Stand, where he played Multiple Man; and a supporting turn in Marley & Me as Sebastian, Owen Wilson's buddy.
The takeaway
'Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments' lands in 2026. It is not just a celebrity memoir; it is someone trying to map a life in real time while the ground keeps shifting. If that sounds heavy, it is. It also sounds like exactly the kind of book that could help someone else find meaning in their own days.