Actor Russell Andrews has revealed he is battling ALS after years of troubling symptoms that he first mistook for something else.
The Straight Outta Compton star opened up about the heartbreaking diagnosis during an appearance on CNN’s The Story Is with Elex Michaelson, where he was joined by his fiancée, actress Erica Tazel.
Andrews said he was diagnosed “in the late fall of last year” after a long and confusing health journey. He described the experience as deeply “humbling” and said he and Tazel have found crucial support through the nonprofit ALS Network.
“They have not let us miss a step in terms of care, the attention, the awareness, and the ability to get me here today,” Andrews said.
The actor explained that his first warning signs began during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, he thought he may have suffered a stroke. Later, he dismissed some of the symptoms as stress or nerve issues.
Andrews said the years that followed were especially difficult because he and Tazel were out of work for a long stretch during the industry shutdowns and strikes. During that period, he began noticing strange twitches and believed he may have had pinched nerves in his neck.
But eventually, the symptoms became impossible to ignore.
“I was dropping cups and glasses at night,” Andrews said. “It felt like things were running up and down my arm at different times, and it was the nerves.”
Tazel also noticed changes.
She said Andrews was taking longer to do everyday tasks, including cleaning the pool, and that his walk had started to change. She knew something was wrong, but the couple struggled to get clear answers because Andrews had lost his insurance while he was out of work.
Once he had insurance again, he saw a doctor, who referred him to a neurologist. That is when the couple finally got the diagnosis.
For Tazel, the news was devastating but also gave them an answer after years of uncertainty.
“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,’” she recalled.
Her emotional response struck a chord with fans, who praised her for standing by Andrews during such a terrifying time.
Tazel is best known for playing Deputy U.S. Marshal Rachel Brooks on FX’s hit series Justified. The Texas-born actress studied theater at Spelman College before earning a Master of Fine Arts degree from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Andrews’ diagnosis comes as ALS has drawn renewed attention in Hollywood following the death of actor Eric Dane. According to reports, Dane died on February 19, 2026, with respiratory failure listed as his cause of death and ALS cited as an underlying cause.
Dane’s family later honored his fight with the disease, saying he spent his final days surrounded by love while continuing to advocate for ALS awareness and research.
ALS, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells controlling the muscles. Over time, it can make it harder to move, speak, eat, and breathe.
For Andrews, the road ahead will be difficult, but he made it clear he is not facing it alone. With Tazel by his side and support from the ALS community, the actor is now sharing his story in hopes of raising awareness about the disease and the warning signs he once tried to explain away.