Eric Dane<\/a> returned to television this week with a role that didn\u2019t shy away from his recent health issues. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n The \u201cGrey\u2019s Anatomy\u201d and \u201cEuphoria\u201d actor appeared on NBC\u2019s medical drama \u201cBrilliant Minds<\/a>,\u201d which stars Zachary Quinto<\/a>, on Monday. He portrayed a firefighter named Matthew Ramati who initially refuses to tell his family he\u2019s been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly referred to as ALS or Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n The role was a very personal one for Dane, who went public<\/a> with his own ALS diagnosis in April. The disease attacks the nervous system, progressively making it harder for people to walk, talk and eventually breathe. There is currently no cure. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n In an interview with Deadline<\/a>, \u201cBrilliant Minds\u201d creator and showrunner Michael Grassi said he got the idea for Matthew\u2019s storyline after a phone call from Dane\u2019s team. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cI was so excited by the opportunity to tell a story with him and what he\u2019s currently dealing with,\u201d Grassi, whose credits include \u201cSchitt\u2019s Creek\u201d and \u201cRiverdale,\u201d told the outlet. \u201cSo Eric and I had a series of conversations, and funny enough, our first Zoom, I had to fly home for a family emergency with a family member dealing with a difficult diagnosis, and I Zoomed from that family member\u2019s house, and I remember our conversations very quickly started circling this very simple idea of what is it like for a family to navigate a difficult diagnosis.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n In a separate interview with USA Today<\/a>, Grassi said Dane received a \u201c10-minute standing ovation\u201d from the show\u2019s cast members and crew after filming one of the episode\u2019s more poignant scenes. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cAlso, while his character\u2019s finding bravery, there\u2019s a lot of bravery in Eric to tell the story as well,\u201d he said. \u201cTo come out and share this part of yourself is vulnerable but also really important, and I think raises awareness and shows people that they\u2019re not alone.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Since addressing his diagnosis, Dane has emerged as an outspoken advocate for others with ALS. Last month, he met with Rep. Eric Swalwell<\/a> (D-Calif.) in Washington, D.C., as part of his work with the nonprofit organization I AM ALS<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n And the actor, who shares daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13, with wife Rebecca Gayheart, has said his hopes for his family have kept him motivated. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cI have two daughters at home,\u201d he said, as seen in a TikTok video<\/a> of his meeting with Swalwell. \u201cI want to see them, you know, graduate college, and get married and maybe have [my] grandkids. You know, I want to be there for all that. So I\u2019m going to fight to the last breath on this one.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Now in its second season, \u201cBrilliant Minds\u201d is inspired by the work of legendary British neurologist Oliver Sacks<\/a>, who died in 2015 at age 82. The series has received widespread acclaim for its nuanced take<\/a> on mental health as well as Quinto\u2019s portrayal<\/a> of its protagonist, Dr. Oliver Wolf, who is based on Sacks. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"Eric](\"https:\/\/img.huffingtonpost.com\/asset\/69261978220000211f60bbfa.jpg?ops=scalefit_720_noupscale&format=webp)
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