United Kingdom, Jan. 30 -- Kate Walsh says Eric Dane's health battle is "so painful".

The Grey's Anatomy star - whose character Dr. Addison Montgomery was in a relationship with Eric's alter ego Mark Sloan - has opened up on her castmate's public struggle with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness and atrophy.

Asked if she's had the chance to talk to him, Kate told Variety: "It's so painful. It's really sad. I haven't been in touch with him, but I've reached out and sent my love and support and strength.

"It's so heartbreaking. He's such a beautiful person and such an incredible man, and I've had other frien...