How Eric Dane, Rebecca Gayheart Are Facing His ALS Battle as a Family

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Rebecca Gayheart and Eric Dane are navigating his health battle as a family.

Eight months after revealing his ALS diagnosis, the former Grey’s Anatomy star’s estranged wife has openly discussed how they and their daughters, Billie (15) and Georgia (14), are coping with the challenges of the disease. Because of the uncertainty ALS brings, they are making a conscious effort to focus on enjoying the present moment.

Rebecca, 54, wrote in an essay for New York magazine’s The Cut on December 29th that they want to make the most of the time they have with him right now. He’s expressed a strong desire to prioritize family, and she’s fully supportive of helping him do that. She said it was a simple and straightforward conversation.

She explained that they hadn’t yet had the difficult discussions about the future – what things might be like in a couple of years – because those conversations were simply too upsetting to contemplate.

Even though the Jawbreaker star hasn’t voiced them, those difficult questions still hang over their head, waiting to be addressed.

I’ve been trying to focus on the present, even though it’s hard not to worry about what’s ahead,” she said. “I’m really concerned about my daughters losing their father—they’re already dealing with so much pressure as young girls, and I want to make sure I give them everything they need to cope. I know this will change them, and I’m trying to prepare them as best I can.

Even though Rebecca and Eric, both 53, separated in 2017, they’ve continued to support each other, especially now. Rebecca has worked with their health insurance to get Eric the in-home nursing care he needs, and she’s even taken on some of the caregiving responsibilities herself.

Rebecca has been focused on keeping her family afloat and providing the support they need. However, she anticipates that when she finally has time to reflect on everything they’ve experienced, it will be incredibly painful.

She explained she’s doing her best to help her children, herself, and the whole family cope with this difficult time, understanding that death is a natural part of life. While they’ve experienced a lot of bad luck, she feels grateful that they recognize how precious time is and are trying to make the most of it.

For more insight into how Eric and his family are doing amid his battle, keep reading…

Eric Dane revealed he received a diagnosis of ALS, 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 recent 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, whose new Amazon MGM Studios series Countdown premiered this summer, shared that acting has helped him stay mentally focused while dealing with health challenges.

He told TopMob News in June 2025 that he generally enjoys his job. 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 had been diagnosed, the former Grey’s Anatomy star openly discussed his experience, including the signs that first led him to seek medical attention.

In June 2025, Dane shared with Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America that he first noticed weakness in his right hand. He didn’t worry much about it initially, thinking it was just from texting or overuse. 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’s a harsh reality, not a bad dream.

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

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

Dane told Sawyer he speaks with Rebecca daily. They’ve grown closer as both friends and parents, and he considers her his biggest advocate and strongest source of support, 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 they have a strong co-parenting relationship. They’ve found a way to successfully stay a family, which is really benefiting both their children and themselves.

It breaks my heart to see Dane navigating life with ALS, especially while watching him cherish moments with Billie and Georgia. He’s been so open about how difficult this is, and it’s incredibly moving – and honestly, devastating – to hear him express how much he worries about the impact this disease is having on his daughters and Gayheart. He’s always been such a devoted dad, and it’s clear he’s really struggling with the fact that he can’t protect them from this.

As a lot of you know, I lost my father at a young age, and it’s something that’s always stayed with me. It’s incredibly painful to think that my daughters might experience a similar loss, as I’m now facing a situation where I could be separated from them too soon. Honestly, all I really want is to be a present dad and, if possible, continue doing what I love. Family is everything, and that’s what truly matters at the end of the day.

Dane was scheduled to present at the 2025 Emmys with his Grey’s Anatomy co-star, 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.

As I shared with The Washington Post recently, dealing with ALS has been incredibly tough. In fact, I was actually in the hospital getting stitches while the Emmys were happening – it really puts things into perspective. It’s a challenging disease, and I wanted to be open about what I’m going through.

“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 people from the I Am ALS organization. He also spoke with California Congressman Eric Swalwell about getting more federal money for research into ALS, a neurological disease that currently has no cure.

In a TikTok video shared by Representative Eric Swalwell on September 29th, Dane said, “I want to live a full life.” He explained he has two daughters and hopes to see them graduate college, get married, and perhaps even have children of their own.

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2025-12-29 19:47