He emphasized his perseverance moving forward, saying, “I’m fighting as much as I can,” though he admitted, “There’s so much about it that is out of my control.”

Actor Eric Dane has opened up about his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and is revealing the one symptom — the very first one — he experienced, but didn’t think much of at the time it happened. The former “Grey’s Anatomy” star, 52, revealed this important fact to Diane Sawyer in a new interview on “Good Morning America” Monday.

Dane -- who shot to fame amid six seasons on the hit ABC drama "Grey's Anatomy," where he played Dr. Mark Sloan, affectionately known as "McSteamy" -- said his symptoms began over one year ago, when he began to experience weakness in his right hand.