Eric Dane, best known for his roles in Euphoria and Grey’s Anatomy, died at 53 after a battle with ALS. His wife, actor Rebecca Gayheart, earlier spoke about his health issues and how they were standing together as a family to fight the condition. Gayheart appeared on the cover of a magazine in December 2025 when she opened up on Dane’s ALS battle. She shared an excerpt from the same on Instagram.
In the essay, Gayheart wrote, “This year, the girls and I have spent a lot of time at Eric’s house, which is about a 12-minute drive away from our home,” describing frequent visits and shared meals. She often helped by covering “times that shifts aren’t covered.”
She reflected on her relationship with Dane and the kind of understanding they shared even when they were separated as a couple. She said, “Eric knows that I am always going to want the best for him. That I’m going to do my best to do right by him. And I know he would do the same for me.”
Gayheart also discussed she and Dane trying to set the best examples for their daughter. “So whatever I can do or however I can show up to make this journey better for him or easier for him, I want to do that. And I want to model that for my girls: ‘That’s what you do. That’s the right thing to do’,” she wrote.
Dane died surrounded by family on Thursday afternoon at his Los Angeles home. The statement from the family, carried by The Hollywood Reporter, read, “With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS. He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world.”
Dane’s family also highlighted his advocacy for ALS awareness: “Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight. He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time.”
Dane publicly shared his ALS diagnosis ten months ago, telling People, “I have been diagnosed with ALS. I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.”
Dane married Rebecca Gayheart in 2004. Though Gayheart filed for divorce in 2018, they never finalised the separation and continued to co-parent their daughters, Billie and Georgia, prioritising family support.
