Maria Shriver’s Open Field to Publish Eric Dane’s Remarkable Story

Beloved actor Eric Dane is known for his iconic roles as Dr. Mark “McSteamy” Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy and Cal Jacobs on HBO’s Euphoria. In 2026, he’ll step into a new role as memoirist. 

Earlier this year, Dane announced he’d been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Next year, he’ll publish Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments, with The Open Field, Maria Shriver’s imprint at Penguin Random House. In this deeply moving book, Dane reflects on the defining moments of his life and career, the complexities of fame, and the path he’s been navigating since finding out he has ALS.

“I wake up every morning, and I’m immediately reminded that this is real—this illness, this challenge and that’s exactly why I’m writing this book,” says Dane. “I want to capture the moments that shaped me—the beautiful days, the hard ones, the ones I never took for granted—so that if nothing else, people who read it will remember what it means to live with heart. If sharing this helps someone find meaning in their own days, then my story is worth telling.”

Dane’s memoir is a profound meditation on the passing of time and what matters most when you’re looking at life through the lens of a terminal illness. It will be an invitation for readers to consider their own time and how, amidst the noise and chaos of everyday life, we can learn to celebrate the days that matter the most.

“I’m so honored to be publishing Eric’s story,” says Shriver. “It’s a courageous one that inspires me deeply. Eric wants to give his daughters and family something to be proud of, and this book will not only make them proud, but it will also help people understand what ALS is and isn’t, what happens to someone when they get it, and how we can all be compassionate partners to people suffering with neurological conditions such as this.”