USA - The actor Eric Dane (52) is terminally ill. In an exclusive interview, the series favorite, who is best known for his role on "Grey's Anatomy", reveals that he has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

"I am grateful to have my loving family by my side in this new chapter," he tells PEOPLE. "I ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time."

Despite the devastating diagnosis, the actor plans to continue working and return to the set of the third season of the HBO series "Euphoria " next week. There, Dane plays the head of the Jacobs family.

However, his better-known role is definitely that of "McSexy" alias "Dr. Mark Sloan" in "Grey's Anatomy". The American was part of the medical series for six seasons from 2006 to 2012.

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's syndrome , is a rare degenerative disease that leads to progressive muscle paralysis.

Those affected gradually lose the ability to walk, eat and speak. Independent breathing also becomes increasingly difficult, as ALS affects the nerve cells in the brain and spine that are responsible for muscle movement.

The syndrome cannot be cured and patients live for an average of three to five years after diagnosis, although there are also cases in which sufferers have survived for decades.

Other prominent ALS sufferers include astrophysicist Stephen Hawking (†76) and US actor Aaron Lazar (48).