Since the loss of “Grey’s Anatomy” star Eric Dane on Thursday, February 19, tributes from fans, friends and family have been flooding in. Now, Rebecca Gayheart, whom he married in 2004 and split from around 2018 but never divorced, has shared a new statement.
GettyGayheart, an actress who memorably played the recurring role of blind patient Natasha Charles on “Nip Tuck,” has been memorializing Dane on her Instagram Stories with throwback photos, but hasn’t said much until now about his death other than to thank people contributing to a GoFundMe for the family.
Rebecca Gayheart’s Statement On Eric Dane’s Death
In the early morning hours of February 22, Gayheart posted a new statement to her Instagram Stories which reads, “I am so blown away by the outpouring of love and support from our community. There aren’t words to express our gratitude. You are truly holding us up during this difficult time.”
Dane died of ALS at just 53 years old. His condition progressed extremely fast, as he went from being able to film “Euphoria” season 3 starting in April 2025, to dying less than a year later.
A GoFundMe which says it will “help provide stability during this incredibly difficult time and in the future for Eric’s wonderful daughters,” has raised almost $300,000 so far.
Eric Dane Previously Opened Up to Diane Sawyer About ALS
The television heartthrob appeared on “GMA” soon after announcing his ALS diagnosis to open up about what he was going through. He detailed the first signs he noticed that told him something was wrong, saying, “I started experiencing some weakness in my right hand, and I didn’t really think anything of it at the time. I thought maybe I’d texted too much, or my hand was fatigued. But a few weeks later, I noticed it had gotten a little worse.”
He went on to explain that he saw a hand specialist, who sent him to another hand specialist. The actor then saw a neurologist, who sent him to yet another neurologist. According to the segment, it took 9 months for Dane’s ALS diagnosis to become clear. Sawyer explained the condition “progressively kills the nerves that connect to your muscles, affecting your arms, legs, speech, breathing.” She said the disease can eventually end in paralysis “while your mind is still acute.”
“I will never forget those three letters,” Dane said of finding out he had ALS.
I thought go fund was for those that are in need?