Eric Dane was given a 10-minute standing ovation on the set of TV show Brilliant Minds after he filmed an “emotional” scene which showed his character dealing with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) – the same condition the actor is battling in real life.
Eric Dane was given a 10-minute standing ovation on the set of TV show Brilliant Minds.
The 53-year-old actor – who went public with his ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) diagnosis earlier this year – has been back at work playing a firefighter battling the same condition in the medical drama and the show’s creator Michael Grassi has revealed the cast and crew applauded the actor when he finished filming a particularly emotional scene in which the character speaks about dealing with the illness.
Grassic told USA Today: “[Filming the scene] was so emotional … I have never seen this happen in my entire career, but he essentially got a 10-minute standing ovation after shooting that scene, because it was so beautiful and so honest and so real.
“Also, while his character’s finding bravery, there’s a lot of bravery in Eric to tell the story as well.
“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.”
Grassic added of working with the actor: “His spirit was so collaborative and so open.
“What was really fun, every time we would call ‘cut,’ and we would finish shooting a scene, there was so much laughter and banter between Eric and our cast.”
Dane shared news of his diagnosis with the illness – also known as motor neurone disease – in April but he previously confided in fellow actor Aaron Lazar, who also has ALS, while they were making new Amazon thriller series Countdown together.
Broadway star Aaron told Variety: “When I met Eric and he shook my hand, I could see and feel something was off.
“I asked him what was going on. Eric said to me: ‘I think I have what you have’.”
Aaron filmed a guest spot in the show alongside regular castmember Eric and he revealed the team behind the scenes were incredibly supportive.
He told the publication: “I was in a wheelchair and I was so nervous they weren’t going to be able to dress me in my suits.
“But it turns out they knew exactly what to do because they had already been working with Eric and what he had been going through.”
Eric Dane given 10-minute standing ovation on Brilliant Minds set
