Actor Eric Dane waves proudly to fans while posing at the grey carpet Los Angeles premiere for his new series “Countdown” on June 18, 2025. The occasion was his first red carpet appearance since revealing his diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) last April. The premiere event was held at Los Angeles’ Harmony Gold Theatre. Dane was followed by his fellow cast mates, including Jensen Ackles, Jessica Camacho, Violett Beane, Elliot Knight and Uli Latukefu to which he introduced them.
“Countdown” LAPD detective Mark Meachum, played by Jensen Ackles, goes in search of the killer of a Department of Homeland Security officer. In it, Dane portrays a member of an elite task force of undercover agents who try to crack the case.
At the premiere, Dane posed for photos with director Janell Shirtcliff, displaying a sense of camaraderie and support among the cast. Dane experienced brutal side effects from ALS, like the loss of the use of his right arm. Yet through all these challenges, he remained positive.
I’m alive and I feel phenomenal. To be up here with all of you guys is amazing, to see all of our many, many, many hours of hard work come to life on this screen is incredible. He stated. His positivity was evident throughout the evening.
Dane on the other hand, shared how his work is a beacon of hope and point of inspiration throughout this dark and difficult time. “It keeps me sharp. It keeps me moving forward, which is super important right now,” he remarked. His positive attitude and iron will are evident in his fight to keep performing, even after his diagnosis.
As he looked back on his health journey, Dane stressed his love for the field of law enforcement. “And my intention is to continue to do that until the wheels fall off,” he announced. Then he dropped this gem—on what makes him feel great—when he’s in that zone 9.
Dane’s most recent labor of love took center stage during the debut. It opened up a world of exhilarating opportunities to meet fans and collaborate with artists he admired. His participation at the event revealed his bravery. It also showed the breadth of his understanding of, and proclivity for in television, collaborative art form.
