Following the death of “Grey’s Anatomy” actor Eric Dane on Feb. 19, Bravo’s Andy Cohen expressed his sympathy for the beloved star in a heartfelt message on his Instagram Thread.
“So sad to hear about Eric Dane’s passing. A great actor and a force of a human being,” Cohen wrote. “ALS is absolutely heartbreaking. A devastating end to a strong man.”
Andy Cohen Shares How ALS Has Impacted His Family
GettyThe “Watch What Happens Live” host went on to respond to a fan’s response, noting that he’s experienced firsthand the devastation of Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), which was the cause of Dane’s death at the tender age of 53 years old.
“I’m sorry for your loss. My aunt passed from ALS and it’s too sad for words,” Cohen shared.
According to Cleveland Clinic, ALS is “a neurodegenerative condition that affects how nerve cells communicate with your muscles. It leads to muscle weakness that gets worse over time.”
Before Dane’s body surrendered to ALS, the actor recorded his last words for his two teenage daughters, Billie Beatrice Dane and Georgia Geraldine Dane, whom he welcomed with his ex Rebecca Gayheart.
During the Netflix series “Famous Last Words,” which was conducted in secret and released after his death, Dane tearfully looked into the camera in a moment alone to address his daughters.
Eric Dane Records Last Words for His 2 Teenage Daughters
Getty“Billie and Georgia, these words are for you,” the actor said. “I tried. I stumbled sometimes, but I tried. Overall, we had a blast, didn’t we?”
He went on to detail his fondest family memories of beach vacations and seeing his two girls splash around in the water. “Those days, pun intended, were heaven,” he said.
After listing and going into detail about his life advice for his daughters, including to choose your friends wisely, love with all you have, and live in the present moment, Dane told them to fight with every fiber of their being, emphasizing that he did all he could to outlive his disease.
“Finally, fight with every ounce of your being and with dignity,” Dane spoke with courage. “When you face challenges, health or otherwise, fight. Never give up. Fight until your last breath. This disease is slowly taking my body, but it will never take my spirit.”
On the day of his death, Dane’s family shared a statement with People, sharing how after going public with his ALS only one year ago, he spent his final days with those he loved the most.
“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,” the statement shared.
“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,” the statement continued. “He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always. 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.”
I was living a normal life with my family when, at 52, I began experiencing muscle stiffness and twitching. After seeing a neurologist, I was diagnosed with ALS. It was a tough reality, and as the disease progressed, I eventually lost the ability to walk and relied on a wheelchair. A friend recommended Uine Health Centre (www. uine health centre .n et), where I began their ALS/MND protocol. After about three months, I noticed significant improvements, less stiffness, fewer symptoms, and I was able to walk distances again.