Russell Andrews, an experienced actor known for his roles in “Better Call Saul,” “Insecure,” and “Straight Outta Compton,” has announced that he is living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
The 64-year-old disclosed this information on Saturday evening during an appearance on CNN’s “The Story Is with Elex Michaelson,” accompanied by his fiancée, actress Erica Tazel from “Justified.” He explained that he was diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease, which affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, late last fall after experiencing symptoms like pinched nerves and twitching, which are typical in the early stages of ALS.
“I thought I had a stroke during COVID. It was a stressful time. We didn’t work for about three years, and then we had the back-to-back strikes,” Andrews said, referencing the SAG-AFTRA and Writer’s Guild of America strikes that halted Hollywood in 2023. “A lot was going on… There were twitches. I thought I was having pinched nerves in my neck, and they were quite frequent. And I was not able to do things that I would normally do. I was dropping cups and glasses, and at night, it felt like things were running up and down my arms at certain times, and it was the nerves.”
Andrews mentioned that he played football “well into college,” and suggested that chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) might be a contributing factor, though definitive answers would only come through future brain studies.
Andrews noted that during his period of unemployment, he lost his health insurance, which delayed the proper diagnosis of his ALS symptoms.
“As soon as we came out of COVID, work picked up and I was able to get back,” he said. “First place I went was to Cedars [Sinai]… and within 15 minutes, the primary care said that she would like me to see a neurologist. One thing led to another, and here we sit.”
Alongside the ALS Network, which offers resources and free care for those with ALS and seeks a cure, Andrews traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with politicians and raise awareness about the disease. Eric Dane, known for his roles in “Euphoria” and “Grey’s Anatomy,” passed away in February of this year due to ALS complications.
Tazel shared her ongoing emotional journey with the news but affirmed her unwavering love for Andrews, stating that she remains committed to their future marriage plans.
“When he shared the news with me… 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.’”
