Eric Dane’s friends are rallying to support his daughters following the Grey’s Anatomy actor’s death at age 53.
Dane passed away 10 months after publicly revealing his diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. His death was confirmed on Thursday, Feb. 19.
He is survived by his two daughters, Billie Beatrice Dane, 15, and Georgia Geraldine Dane, 13, whom he shared with his ex-wife, Rebecca Gayheart.
In a statement, Dane’s family shared that he spent his final days “surrounded by close friends, his devoted wife, and his two beloved daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his life.”
In the aftermath of his passing, friends of the actor have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover medical expenses and provide financial support for his daughters’ future.
“Even as his health deteriorated, Eric remained deeply dedicated to supporting others battling this devastating illness,” the fundraiser notes. “As his condition progressed far more rapidly than anyone anticipated, Eric’s friends have come together to create this GoFundMe to assist his girls and their future needs.”
Dane and Gayheart first met in 2003 and married less than a year later in Las Vegas. Although the couple separated in 2018, Gayheart became a primary caregiver following Dane’s diagnosis.
In an essay published last year, Gayheart described taking responsibility for managing Dane’s medical care, which required 21 rotating shifts.
“There are moments when shifts aren’t covered, so I step in,” she explained. “Recently, there was a 12-hour shift I couldn’t fully manage. I could only handle four hours because of the children’s schedules.”
During a podcast appearance in November 2025, Gayheart spoke about guiding their daughters through their father’s illness, emphasizing the importance of compassion and presence.
“I wanted my girls to understand that we show up for people no matter what,” she said. “He is our family. He is your father. We show up, with dignity and grace, and we move through it together.”
Gayheart also shared that the children had been living with her full-time, noting her efforts to maintain a positive outlook despite the challenges.
“I try to stay optimistic,” she said. “I’m learning from this experience and trying to be a role model for them as we navigate something incredibly difficult.”
Reflecting on her role, she added, “I don’t know if I’m doing it perfectly or even correctly. I’m simply showing up and doing my best to be there for them. Only time will tell.”
