'Never seen this happen': Eric Dane gets unprecedented response in first acting role since debilitating diagnosis

In a case of life imitating art, Eric Dane has made his grand return to acting in an incredibly personal role – and the response to his performance was reportedly unprecedented.

He joined the cast of NBC's Brilliant Minds as a guest star, and channelled his own personal health struggles into his performance as firefighter Matthew, who struggled with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.

ALS, also known as motor neurone disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, resulting in the loss of muscle control.

Dane, best known for his portrayal of charismatic surgeon Mark Sloan (often referred to as McSteamy) in Grey's Anatomy, was diagnosed with the disorder earlier this year.

He has sadly suffered a gradual decline in coordination since, spotted in a wheelchair during multiple public appearances following the shock diagnosis.

But he's now turned his experience into a raw, honest performance, earning a standing ovation from Brilliant Minds cast and crew.

Upon completing his portion of filming, production reportedly halted for a staggering 10-minutes as they acknowledged the actor's poignant performance.

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In an interview with USA Today, showrunner and creator Michael Grassi said he had "never seen this happen" in his entire career.

He revealed the catalyst for this special moment was a particularly emotional scene.

"He essentially got a 10-minute standing ovation after shooting that scene, because it was so beautiful and so honest and so real," he said.

Grassi went on to commend Dane for the strength he showed in his portrayal of a character so adjacent to his personal struggles.

"While his character's finding bravery, there's a lot of bravery in Eric to tell the story as well," he said.

"To come out and share this part of yourself is vulnerable but also really important, and I think raises awareness and shows people that they're not alone."

He went on to describe Dane as "a delight to work with."

Dane's team had reportedly reached out to Grassi about a potential role on the show, believing it would be a good fit for the actor during this new phase in his life and career.

The show follows eccentric neurologist Doctor Oliver Wolf, played by Zachary Quinto, as he navigates his new role at Bronx General Hospital, while dealing with his own personal health issues.

This is the Euphoria star's first role since developing the disorder, and marks his tentative return to the silver screen as he adjusts to his new normal.

Dane revealed his diagnosis in April with a statement that read, "I have been diagnosed with ALS. I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter."

He has previously said that he's lost motor function on his right side, though his left – his dominant side – is still working.

The actor has had the support of actress ex-wife Rebecca Gayheart, who he separated from eight years ago, throughout his ALS journey.

Gayheart filed for divorce in 2018 but it was never finalised. She asked for the proceedings to be dismissed in March this year following Dane's diagnosis.

The pair share two daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13.

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