Eric Dane’s Heartbreaking Last Words to Daughters Revealed After Death

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Eric Dane imparted some wisdom to his daughters in his final days.

Before he passed away at 53 after a fight with ALS, actor and former Grey’s Anatomy star recorded a message for his daughters, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14, whom he shared with Rebecca Gayheart.

With tears in his eyes, Eric told Billie and Georgia, “I really did try, even though I messed up sometimes.” He added, “But we had a great time together, didn’t we?” This moment was captured in the Netflix show Famous Last Words, which first aired on February 20th.

The actor from Euphoria fondly remembered beach trips with his daughters, describing them as perfect, before discussing the four lessons he’s taken away from his illness.

He went on, saying he didn’t just want to be heard, but truly listened to. He urged people to focus on the present moment, admitting it was difficult but that he’d learned to do it. For years, he’d often gotten lost in thought, spending a lot of time worrying, feeling sorry for himself, and struggling with shame and self-doubt. He’d constantly replay past choices and criticize his own actions.

Honestly, his words just hit me. He said something about how the past is full of ‘what ifs’ and the future is a big question mark, so all we really have is right now. And he wasn’t just saying it, you could feel him meaning it – we need to really live in the moment, hold onto every single second like it’s precious. It’s become my mantra, seriously. I try to remind myself of it constantly. It’s just… everything.

Eric, who shared his diagnosis of ALS in April, also told his daughters that finding love is one of the most important things in life, in addition to living in the moment.

He suggested finding something to be passionate about – even if it’s not a person. He encouraged people to discover what truly brings them joy and motivates them to start each day with enthusiasm and keep going strong.

Eric considers acting his first passion, and it helped him cope with a very difficult period in his life.

He shared that while his job isn’t everything he is, it brings him joy. He encouraged others to discover what truly excites them – to identify their passions and goals, and then pursue them wholeheartedly.

Eric told Billie and Georgia that picking good friends is crucial, and that they should always be there for those friends and support them wholeheartedly. He finished with one last bit of guidance for his children.

He urged everyone to fight with all their strength and maintain their dignity. When facing difficulties – whether related to health or anything else – he stressed the importance of perseverance, of never giving up, and of continuing to fight until the very end. Despite the disease slowly weakening his body, he declared it would never diminish his spirit.

I’ve always admired his approach to life’s challenges. He always said, and I truly believe, that unexpected difficulties will come – that’s just part of being alive. But his advice wasn’t to avoid them, it was to meet them head-on, with complete honesty, strong principles, and a sense of grace, even when things feel impossible. He really showed me, and countless others, that you can handle absolutely anything life throws at you, even the most daunting or painful experiences, with dignity and strength. He lived that belief, right up to the very end.

Eric’s last words to Billie and Georgia were a heartfelt message of love: “You are my heart, my everything. Good night. I love you.”

For a deeper look at Eric’s ALS journey, keep reading. 

Eric Dane revealed he received an ALS diagnosis, also called Lou Gehrig’s disease, in April 2025.

Dane shared with People magazine that he has been diagnosed with ALS. He expressed gratitude for the support of his family as they face this new challenge together.

Despite his diagnosis, the Euphoria actor confirmed he wasn’t retiring from acting. He announced in April 2025 that he was still filming the last season of the HBO show.

Dane, who recently starred in the Amazon MGM Studios series Countdown, shared that acting has helped him stay mentally focused while dealing with his health challenges.

He told TopMob News in June 2025 that he generally feels good while at work. While he’s faced some challenges, he maintains a positive attitude, and that’s what’s most important to him.

Two months after revealing he was diagnosed with a medical condition, the former Grey’s Anatomy star openly discussed his experience, including the signs that first led him to seek help.

In June 2025, Dane shared with Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America that he first noticed weakness in his right hand. He didn’t think much of it initially, assuming it was from overuse or tiredness. However, a few weeks later, he realized the weakness was getting worse.

After nine months of doctor’s appointments – seeing two hand specialists and two neurologists – Dane received a diagnosis of ALS.

The father of two said he’ll never be able to erase those three letters from his mind. They’re the first thing he thinks about when he wakes up, and it feels all too real – it’s not a dream.

He described how the rare disease has impacted his physical health and also explained what he anticipates will happen as the condition worsens.

During his interview with Sawyer, Dane explained that the left side of his body is still working, but the right side has lost all function. He added that he worries he may lose the use of his left hand within a couple of months, which he described as a very serious realization.

After more than 20 years of marriage, Rebecca Gayheart has been supporting her husband, Dane, as he deals with health issues. The couple had previously filed for divorce in 2018, but Rebecca requested the case be dismissed in March.

During his interview with Sawyer, Dane said he speaks with Rebecca daily. They’ve grown closer as both friends and parents, and he considers her his biggest supporter, someone he relies on heavily.

According to Gayheart, she and Dane are the “best of friends.”

The Beverly Hills, 90210 star told TopMob News on April 9, 2025, that she and her co-parent have a strong relationship. They’ve found a way to successfully co-parent, which is really benefiting their children – and themselves.

As Dane celebrates important moments with his daughters, Billie and Georgia, he’s also shared that he struggles with how ALS is impacting his family.

The actor explained that he’s still dealing with the pain of losing his father at a young age to suicide. He’s now facing a similar situation with his own children, potentially being separated from them while they are young. Ultimately, he just wants to be with his family and continue working when possible.

Dane was scheduled to present at the 2025 Emmys with his Grey’s Anatomy colleague, Jesse Williams, on September 14th, but he couldn’t make it. He later revealed he had to miss the show due to a hospital stay a few weeks prior.

In an interview with The Washington Post published on October 2nd, he revealed he was in the hospital receiving stitches during the Emmys, explaining, ‘ALS is a terrible disease.’

“I was a really upset about it,” Dane added. “But you know, there was nothing I could do about it.”

In September 2025, Dane met with doctors and representatives from I Am ALS, and discussed the need for more federal funding for ALS research with California Congressman Eric Swalwell. ALS is a neurological disease that currently has no cure.

In a TikTok video posted on September 29th, Dane told Representative Swalwell, ‘I want to experience all of life’s milestones.’ He explained, ‘I have two daughters, and I hope to see them graduate college, get married, and perhaps even have children of their own.’

Dane passed away on February 19th at the age of 53 after a year-long struggle with ALS. According to a statement from his family to TopMob, he was surrounded by loved ones – his wife, daughters, and close friends – during his final days.

Eric’s family shared that throughout his battle with ALS, he dedicated himself to raising awareness and funding research, hoping to help others facing the same challenges. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered. Eric cherished his fans and was thankful for all the love and support he received. The family asks for privacy as they grieve.

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2026-02-21 03:18