Actor Russell Andrews Reveals ALS Diagnosis, Speaking Out During Awareness Month
Actor Russell Andrews has revealed that he has been diagnosed with ALS, sharing his story publicly as part of an effort to raise awareness about the progressive neurodegenerative disease during ALS Awareness Month.
The 64-year-old actor, whose credits include Better Call Saul, Insecure, and Straight Outta Compton, said he received the diagnosis last fall after months of concerning physical symptoms and a complicated path to medical care. Speaking in a recent television interview, Andrews explained that the first warning signs included persistent muscle twitching and what initially felt like pinched nerves in his neck, symptoms that eventually led doctors to pursue neurological testing.
Andrews said delays in seeking treatment were partly tied to the entertainment industry shutdowns of 2023. After losing his health insurance during the SAG-AFTRA strikes, he said he was unable to immediately pursue medical care and only saw a doctor once his coverage returned. According to Andrews, his physician quickly recognized the seriousness of the symptoms and referred him to a neurologist, leading to the eventual diagnosis.
ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive condition that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, gradually impairing muscle control, movement, speech, and eventually breathing. There is currently no cure.
Rather than keeping the diagnosis private, Andrews has chosen to speak publicly while partnering with the ALS Network, which he says has become an essential source of support for both him and his fiancée, actress Erica Tazel.
Andrews described the experience as both devastating and unexpectedly grounding, crediting the organization with helping him navigate the emotional and practical realities of the diagnosis. He said the community he found through the ALS Network quickly became a crucial support system, helping provide care resources, education, and a sense of connection during a deeply uncertain period.
The diagnosis has also reshaped, but not halted, his personal plans. Andrews and Tazel said they still intend to get married, with Tazel publicly affirming her commitment to remaining by his side as his condition progresses. In the same interview, she described the moment they finally received a diagnosis as painful but clarifying, saying that understanding what they were facing brought a certain kind of certainty, even amid devastating news.
The actor said his decision to speak out is about more than his own experience. In public remarks tied to his advocacy work, Andrews emphasized the broader need for increased awareness, better access to care, and continued investment in research for ALS patients and families. He said the moment should serve a larger purpose beyond his personal story.
The renewed attention on ALS comes during a particularly visible period for public awareness of the disease. Earlier this year, actor Eric Dane, known for roles in Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, died after publicly disclosing his own diagnosis less than a year earlier.
