An actor Russell Andrews announced that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS.
“I'm a person living with ALS. I was diagnosed late last year. It was humbling,” said Andrews, 64, on Saturday, May 16, appearing on CNN's. Story With Elex Michaelson alongside his fiancee, an actress Erica Tazel.
Andrews, whose credits include roles in Straight Outta Compton again The better Call Saulhe said he started getting symptoms of neurodegenerative disease, which affects the brain and spinal cord, during the violence of COVID-19.
“I thought I was having a stroke during COVID. It was a stressful time,” he said, adding that his health problems were compounded by the fact that he was unable to work during the violence, as well as the 2023 SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild of America strikes.
“There were times when there was convulsions. There were things that I thought were tied to the nerves in my neck and they were very common,” he explained. “I couldn't do the things I used to do. I was dropping cups and glasses, and at night, it felt like things were going up and down my arm at different times, and feelings.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, “ALS often begins with muscle twitching and weakness in an arm or leg, trouble swallowing, or slurred speech.” ALS eventually affects the muscles needed to move, talk, eat and breathe. There is no cure for this deadly disease, but research into new treatments continues.
CNN reported that Tazel, whose credits include a role in the hit show Fixedshe is taking on the role of her boyfriend's guardian.
“Processing is a process. When he talked to me at the beginning, I said I was unusually calm,” said Tazel, 49. “In a way, it was the answer to many questions we had, there were some things we started to see that were different, for example, it took him a long time to clean the pool, the way he walked was a little subtle [change] … things like that. I had questions. I was like, 'Something's really wrong,' so now we know what it was.”
From Lou Gehrig in 1939 to Eric Dane in 2025, celebrities have publicly dealt with what is now known as ALS for decades. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also called Lou Gehrig's disease, is a fatal neurodegenerative disease. This disease causes a person to gradually lose control of their muscles, starting gradually with muscle stiffness or […]
Tazel told the CNN anchor Alex Michaelson that he has learned “there are situations” where love is “truly unconditional,” as he has sided with Andrews.
“When he told me these stories, again, there was no sigh of relief, but some understanding of what was happening, and I looked at him across the room, and I said, 'At least now we know what it is and I still want to be your wife,'” said the actor.
Andrews, Tazel and her family also received support from the ALS Network, which advocates for the diagnosis, treatment and cure of the disease.
Andrews made the revelation Saturday during ALS Awareness Month, which runs through the month of May.
The old one Grey's Anatomy actor Eric Dane died at age 53 in February nearly a year after announcing his battle with ALS.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share that Eric Dane passed away Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” Dane's family said in a statement at the time. “He spent his last days surrounded by his dear friends, his devoted wife [Rebecca Gayheart]and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world. Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference to others facing the same battle. He will be deeply missed, and always fondly remembered. Eric loved his fans and is always grateful for the outpouring of love and support he received. The family has asked for privacy as they consider this difficult time. “
