Eric Dane’s Family Held On to Every Moment Before His Death

Rebecca Gayheart is reflecting on the final months of Eric Dane’s life, describing a painful period marked by his ALS diagnosis, family uncertainty, and efforts to make the most of their remaining time together.

According to Fox News, Dane died Feb. 19, less than a year after publicly revealing that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS. Gayheart, who separated from the actor in 2018, remained close to him as they continued raising their two daughters together.

"We tried to be present through all of our fear and frustration and uncertainty," Gayheart told People. She described the period as exhausting and heartbreaking but said it also gave her and their daughters an opportunity to see Dane's strength.

Dane began experiencing symptoms in early 2024. In his memoir, he recalled initially dismissing a problem with his right hand after he suddenly struggled to use chopsticks while eating sushi with his children.

The problem returned weeks later and had become more severe. Dane eventually learned that the symptoms were connected to ALS.

Gayheart said the diagnosis was devastating after months of trying to determine what was causing his physical changes. She recalled retreating to her closet after receiving the news because the reality was too painful to process.

"I was always telling him, ‘You’re going to be okay, we’re going to figure this out.’ But that day was like a punch in the gut," she said.

The couple then had to tell their daughters, Billie and Georgia, about their father's illness. Gayheart said the girls had many questions and struggled to understand what was happening.

Dane also wrote about the moment he and Gayheart confronted the diagnosis. Although they had separated after 14 years of marriage and filed for divorce, they remained deeply connected, co-parenting, taking family vacations and speaking every day.

Gayheart said Dane wanted to spend as much time as possible with their daughters during his illness.

She now finds herself wanting to call him when major moments happen in the girls' lives. She particularly remembers wanting to tell him when Georgia had a boy interested in her and when Billie earned her driver's license.

Gayheart and Dane married in Las Vegas in 2004 and welcomed Billie in 2010 and Georgia in 2011. Their relationship spanned more than two decades, even after their separation.

Now, Gayheart says she is focused on raising their daughters while keeping Dane's presence alive in their family.

"I’d say that I’m proud of him, that we all love him so much, and I hope he really felt that," she said.

"I’m going to look after these girls and protect them with everything in my body and soul," Gayheart added. "And we’re not going to let people forget him."