LOS ANGELES, January 3, 2026 — Grey’s Anatomy actor Steven W. Bailey revealed today that a neuromuscular disorder has led to his increasing reliance on a wheelchair. The diagnosis, Congenital Myasthenia Syndrome (CMS), marks a significant shift in both his personal life and his decades-long acting career.
Navigating a New Reality
The actor shared his diagnosis publicly via a series of posts on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Friday.
- Bailey disclosed he has been privately managing CMS for over five years.
- The condition affects communication between the brain and muscles, causing fatigue and mobility issues.
- He anticipates his future roles will increasingly accommodate wheelchair use.
- Bailey’s Grey’s Anatomy co-star, Eric Dane, revealed an ALS diagnosis last year.
“I would like to share something important with you about my life and my career,” Bailey wrote in his initial post. “I’ve spent years being cautious, private, and quiet about something that has been shaping my life and my work. That time is over.” He explained that he had been concealing his battle with the disease for more than five years due to career concerns, diagnostic uncertainty, and a general desire for privacy.
Bailey, who is known for playing bartender Joe in the long-running ABC medical drama, as well as appearances in Modern Family, You, and Chicago Fire, described CMS as a genetic disease that disrupts the connection between the brain and muscles. “There are billions of these junction ‘dodads’ in a body, and an increasing number of mine seem to be on the blink,” he explained. “The point is: my muscles aren’t clearly receiving all my brain’s orders to do all the swell things muscles are meant to do. It’s a drag.”
You may know me from Grey’s Anatomy as Joe the bartender — or from appearances on Modern Family, You, Chicago Fire, or some other appearance.
I would like to share something important with you about my life and my career.
🧵👇
— Steven W. Bailey (@theStevenBailey) January 3, 2026
The actor noted that the condition causes his limbs to tire more quickly than they should, leading to “issues with walking.” He described his current mobility as a cycle of ambulation, sitting, and wheelchair use. “I ambulate some, then I sit, I ‘wheelchair’ about, ambulate, sit, and then, you know, ambulate,” he said.
Bailey also addressed the professional implications of his diagnosis. “Professionally, this is changing me as an actor,” he stated. While he can still perform some physical actions, he acknowledged that his work will increasingly incorporate wheelchair use. “I can ambulate my way through simple ‘walks and talks’ with no problem… But, practically speaking, moving forward, it’s time for my work, like in my life, to start skewing more wheelchair, if you will. Passed that time, really.”
Same guy.
Same actor.
Same artist.
Now with wheels.— Steven W. Bailey
— Steven W. Bailey (@theStevenBailey) January 3, 2026
Bailey, who has also appeared in Buffy, Angel, and NCIS, expressed optimism about his future in the industry. He looks forward to portraying characters who live with wheelchairs, contributing to more inclusive representation in film and television. “Same guy. Same actor. Same artist. Now with wheels,” he concluded.
This revelation follows a similar announcement last year from Bailey’s Grey’s Anatomy co-star, Eric Dane, who disclosed his diagnosis of ALS disease. Dane stated at the time, “I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.”
