A. Russell Andrews is publicly opening up about his battle with ALS, adding another heartbreaking chapter to the growing conversation around the disease in Hollywood following the recent death of Eric Dane.
During an appearance on CNN’s The Story Is with Elex Michaelson, Andrews revealed for the first time that he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease — late last year. Sitting alongside his fiancée, actress Erica Tazel, Andrews spoke candidly about the diagnosis and the physical changes that first signaled something was wrong.
“I am a person living with ALS,” Andrews said during the interview.
The 64-year-old actor, whose credits include Straight Outta Compton, Better Call Saul, Insecure, and a guest role on Grey's Anatomy, explained that his symptoms first appeared during the pandemic.
He recalled experiencing muscle twitches, weakness, and difficulty performing routine tasks before eventually seeking medical attention after regaining health insurance following the industry strikes.
“I was not able to do things that I normally do,” Andrews said. “I was dropping cups and glasses at night.”
Tazel said she noticed subtle changes long before the diagnosis became official. “The way he walked, there was just the subtle little things like that,” she explained. “I was like, ‘Something is definitely wrong.’”
The interview also highlighted the support Andrews has received from ALS Network, which he described as a lifeline since learning he had the disease. “I walked into a family of very caring people I did not know a year ago,” he said, crediting the organization for helping guide him through treatment, care, and advocacy resources.
Andrews is now the second Grey’s Anatomy actor to receive an ALS diagnosis, with the first being Eric Dane, who died in February at age 53 after complications related to ALS. Dane’s official cause of death was confirmed as respiratory failure, with ALS listed as the underlying condition.
In the months before his death, he became one of the most visible celebrity advocates for ALS awareness, speaking openly about the emotional and physical toll of the disease.
“It's imperative that I share my journey with as many people as I can because I don't feel like my life is about me anymore,” Dane said during a 2025 ALS awareness panel.
