Ellen Pompeo Reveals Eric Dane Called Her ‘30 Seconds’ After She Reached Out About His ALS Diagnosis

Ellen Pompeo shared a sweet story about her friendship with Eric Dane at an event honoring him as an advocate for ASL research and awareness.

On Saturday, January 24, the Euphoria actor, 53, was honored at the ALS Network Champions for Cures & Care Gala held at the Pasadena Convention Center. Although neither Dane — who announced in April of 2025 that he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) — or Pompeo could be there in person, they each sent in pre-taped video messages to the crowd.

In Pompeo’s video message, she gushed about her former Grey’s Anatomy costar, who joined the show in Season 2 when it premiered in 2006.

“I remember when he came in as McSteamy and us having instant electric chemistry, and I immediately just fell in love with him,” she said, per People.

“As soon as I heard about his diagnosis, I texted him, and I said, ‘I’m here if you want to speak,'” Pompeo shared. “And my phone rang 30 seconds later.”

“Whatever you need, however I can help. I love you,” she recalled telling him during that phone call.

Pompeo concluded her video with even more kind words. “I’m really proud of you,” she added, directing her comments to Dane. “I love you so much and I am honored to get to speak about you today.”

As Star previously reported, Dane has been leaning on his two daughters to help him fight and live with ALS, a condition that causes damage to nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to a loss of muscle control.

“I have two daughters at home. I wanna see them graduate college, get married, maybe have grandkids. I wanna be there for all that,” the Marley & Me actor — who shares Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13 with estranged wife Rebecca Gayheart — said in a video posted to California Congressman Eric Swalwell’s TikTok account on Monday, September 29.

“So I’m gonna fight until the last breath on this one,” he added at the time.