Just two months before actor Eric Dane died on February 19, 2026, the “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Euphoria” alum announced he was writing his memoir, titled “Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments.”
Dane, who was 53 at the time of his death, chose to work on his memoir with journalist Maria Shriver’s publishing imprint at Penguin Random House, The Open Field.
According to the book announcement on December 8, Dane wanted to write about the moments in his life that “have meant the most,” including his daughters’ births, his first day on the “Grey’s Anatomy” set, the day he decided to get sober, how and when he was diagnosed with ALS, “and that hopeful day in the future when ALS is finally cured.”
It’s not clear how far along Dane was with his writing, but in a beautiful tribute hours after his death, Shriver said that she is still committed to telling his story.
Maria Shriver Called Eric Dane ‘Heroic’ in Touching Tribute, Noting That He Wanted to ‘Be Proud Of’ His Memoir
It’s not clear how far along Dane was with his writing, but in a beautiful tribute hours after his death, Shriver said that she is still committed to telling his story. Hours after his death on February 19, Shriver posted a photo of him on social media and wrote that his death would not keep her imprint from publishing his book.
“I’m heartbroken by this devastating news about Eric Dane,” she wrote. “What a tragedy. He was so heroic the way he handled his diagnosis. He used his voice to let the world know what it was like living with ALS.”
Shriver continued, “I was honored he chose my publishing imprint to publish his memoir. He told me he wanted his family to know how much he loved them, and he wanted to leave them a story they could be proud of. My love goes out to his family, and to all those battling this cruel disease, as well as all those caring for somone battling it.”
She then confirmed the memoir will not die with him, writing, “Godspeed, Eric. It was an honor to know you, and we will honor your story. ♥️”
Maria Shriver Said in December That She Was ‘Humbled & Honored’ to Work With Eric Dane on His Book
When Dane and Shriver announced their publishing partnership in December, she posted on social media how grateful she was that Dane chose to work on his 2026 book with her and her team, writing, “It is indeed an honor to publish @realericdane’s new memoir about his account of being diagnosed with ALS and how he is dealing with it.”
“I’m so humbled and honored that he chose @openfieldbooks to publish his important story,” Shriver continued, calling it “an imprint known for publishing bestselling books that rise above the noise and move humanity forward.”
“I cannot wait for the world to read his story and learn more about his intention and his goals,” she wrote before adding, “Thank you for entrusting me with your story, Eric!”
In a statement about the book to People when it was first announced, Dane said, “I wake up every morning, and I’m immediately reminded that this is real — this illness, this challenge and that’s exactly why I’m writing this book.”
Dane added, “I want to capture the moments that shaped me — the beautiful days, the hard ones, the ones I never took for granted — so that if nothing else, people who read it will remember what it means to live with heart. If sharing this helps someone find meaning in their own days, then my story is worth telling.”
