HomeCeleb LifestyleRebecca Gayheart Opens Up About the Profound Impact of Eric Dane's Tragic...

Rebecca Gayheart Opens Up About the Profound Impact of Eric Dane’s Tragic Passing

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In the wake of the tragic loss of her husband, Eric Dane, Rebecca Gayheart has opened up about the overwhelming support she’s received from their community.

Taking to Instagram Stories on Sunday, Gayheart expressed her heartfelt appreciation, saying, “I am so blown away by the outpouring of love and support from our community. There aren’t words to express our gratitude.” Her message continued with a note of thanks, “You are truly holding us up during this difficult time.”

Eric Dane, well-known for his role in “Grey’s Anatomy,” passed away last Thursday at the age of 53 after battling ALS. The news has left many fans and loved ones mourning his loss.

The family released a statement to People, sharing, “With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS.” His passing marks a significant loss to both his family and the entertainment industry.

“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” read a family statement to People.

“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.”

“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,” the statement continued.

“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.”

Following his passing, the “Scream 2” actress — who emerged in public on Friday for the first time since Dane’s death — also shared intimate family photos on Instagram.

The “Euphoria” actor shared his diagnosis with the debilitating condition in April 2025, just one month after he and Gayheart called off their divorce.

“I have been diagnosed with ALS,” he told People at the time. “I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.” 

The “Beverly Hills, 90210” actress and Dane married in 2004 and welcomed daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14, before separating in 2018.

After calling off the divorce amid Dane’s ALS diagnosis, the model, 54, broke down her “super complicated” role with the “Brilliant Minds” actor — explaining that she intended to “show up” for Dane in order to be a “role model” for their daughters.

“[I tell them], ‘No matter what, he is our family and he is your father,’” she explained during a November appearance on the “Broad Ideas” podcast.

“We show up, and we try to do it with some dignity and some grace and just get through it the best we can.”

Gayheart explained that she wanted “to make sure I provide them with the opportunity to spend time with him, so they don’t ever look back [and wish they did more].”

She also confessed, “It’s super complicated for me. We’ve been separated for eight years.”

Gayheart — who has been romantically linked to Peter Morton in recent months — was seen out with Dane last year for a family outing amid his battle with ALS.

In an April 2025 interview with E! News, she gushed over their friendly co-parenting relationship — just a day prior to the announcement of his diagnosis.

“We are best of friends,” told the outlet at the time. “We are really close. We are great co-parents.”

As they navigated their new reality as a family, Dane dated actress Priya Jain.

In an emotional essay for The Cut in December 2025, Gayheart clarified that their “love may not be romantic, but it’s a familial love.”

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