Grey's Anatomy Actor Reveals Myasthenia Diagnosis

Steven W. Bailey, the actor best known for his role as bartender Joe on the ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy, revealed on Friday that he has been living with congenital myasthenia syndrome, a rare genetic neuromuscular disorder, for more than five years. In a detailed thread on X, the 54-year-old actor shared his diagnosis publicly for the first time, explaining that he had kept it private due to career concerns and uncertainty about the condition.

Bailey, who appeared in over 30 episodes of Grey's Anatomy during its first seven seasons from 2005 to 2010, described the moment as a turning point. "I've spent years being cautious, private, and quiet about something that has been shaping my life and my work," he wrote. "That time is over." He added, "Out of career caution, diagnostic uncertainty, and being private about such things in general, I have been hiding my battle with this disease for over five years. Time to stop."

Congenital myasthenia syndrome, or CMS, is a group of hereditary conditions caused by genetic changes that impair communication between nerves and muscles at the neuromuscular junction. According to medical descriptions, it leads to muscle weakness that...