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Eric Dane was candid about his views on the afterlife, expressing skepticism about its existence.
In an interview for the Netflix series “Famous Last Words,” now available for streaming, Dane stated, “I think when the lights go out, it’s over. I do believe that once we go to sleep or however it is we — we go, once we’re gone, we’re gone.”
During the same interview, Dane shared his hopes that his daughters, Billie and Georgia, would remember his active involvement in their lives. He frequently attended beach volleyball matches and dance recitals, humorously noting that after attending multiple performances of “The Nutcracker,” his review was, “That thing drones on, man.”
The actor, known for his roles in “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Euphoria,” passed away on Thursday, less than a year after revealing his diagnosis with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a progressive and fatal neurological condition.
“Famous Last Words” draws inspiration from a Danish original. The unique format involves interviewing individuals—conducted by executive producer Brad Falchuk in the Netflix version—and withholding the episode until after the subject’s passing.
Dane’s interview is the second episode. The first was with primatologist and conservationist Jane Goodall, who died last October. Falchuk tells The Associated Press he’s recorded five conversations already with plans for more.
No one else was present on set for the taping last November and even the camera operators were in a different room.
“The guest needs to be totally safe to speak honestly and say whatever they want and know that they’re leaving something for people to experience with them not here,” Falchuk said on Friday. Only a small number of people work on the production of the show afterward. “Very, very few people have seen it and very, very people even know whose done it,” explained Falchuk.
“Famous people don’t often get an opportunity to speak honestly about themselves and about what they think in the world,” said Falchuk who is married to Oscar winner Gwyneth Paltrow. “They have to be very protective, especially nowadays. They say things and it goes everywhere and it gets misinterpreted and they also want to keep working or keep you know doing what they do, so this is an opportunity for them not to have to be guarded.”
Dane’s ALS advocacy lives on
After his ALS diagnosis, Dane became an advocate to raise awareness and money to fight the disease. After his death, the organization I AM ALS released clips of him recorded for an upcoming documentary.
“It’s a tough thing to respond to, it’s a tough thing to live with, yeah. But it’s really hard for the people around me too. And it’s almost like — in a weird way, it’s to some benefit, because I spend a lot of my time consoling others,” he said in a clip released Friday.
Filmmaker Chris Burke also captured Dane on a trip to Washington D.C. where he lobbied politicians for a bill that would help accelerate research, expand access to treatment and secure one billion dollars in federal funding for ALS patients.
“He understood that ALS is not just a diagnosis; it is a call to action for families, for answers, and for change,” the organization said in a statement after Dane’s death.
Dane’s last message to his daughters
In the Netflix show, Dane also reflected on the lifelong impact of losing his father at age 7 and subsequent struggles with addiction to drugs and alcohol. He said he immediately knew he would marry Rebecca Gayheart when he met her and shared a memory of a family vacation to France where he spent a car ride speaking with a “spot on” French accent that made everyone laugh.
The most poignant part of the taping was at the end — when Falchuk left the room for Dane to look into the camera and deliver a final message which he dedicated to his daughters. Dane shared that his diagnosis with ALS taught him to be present. He also hoped the girls would “fall in love,” whether it be with a person or something that would make them want to wake up each morning.
“I hope you won’t just listen to me. I hope you’ll hear me,” he said.
Falchuk said this final message is something each guest has the opportunity to do. “People do all different kinds of stuff. Some people write it. Jane improvised hers. Eric wrote his,” said Falchuk, who was visibly emotional at the idea of Dane’s daughters watching his message.
“It’s hard to think about that,” he said. “They’re grieving and he loved them so much. They loved him so much and they’re just a beautiful family. I don’t know. Maybe they’ll watch it. Maybe they’ll never watch it, whatever it may be.”
Falchuk and Dane had dinner prior to filming and they didn’t know each other well, but a new friendship had developed from the experience.
”I’m grieving Eric a lot right now. It’s very hard. I was not expecting this to happen this soon. And I miss him,” said Falchuk. “It’s hard when they die. It is hard.”
The exchange seemed to also have an impact on Dane, who told Falchuk, “This is probably the most revealing and in-depth conversation I’ve had with just about anybody.”
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