'Grey’s Anatomy' Eric Dane's Estranged Wife Backs Out Of Divorce Process 7 Years After Filing

Rebecca Gayheart has hit the brakes on her divorce from her estranged ex-husband, Eric Dane, seven years after filing. 

The actress initially filed for divorce in the Los Angeles County Superior Court in 2018, seeking joint custody of their two daughters and spousal support. 

Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart started their marital journey in 2004. The couple dated for ten months before saying their vows in Texas.

After seven years of legal limbo, Gayheart officially pulled the plug on her divorce from Dane just days before a scheduled court hearing that could have forced them to take action.

In January, a judge issued a "final notice" to the former couple, warning that it could be dismissed entirely if they did not move the case forward.

The March 20 hearing was set to determine the next steps, with potential fines looming if they failed to appear. Now, in a surprising turn, both Gayheart and Dane signed off on the dismissal on March 6.

According to In Touch, court documents confirm that Gayheart officially filed to drop the case on March 7, effectively ending the 7-year-long legal battle without ever finalizing the split.

ICYMI, the former couple, initially began divorce proceedings in February 2018, when Gayheart cited "irreconcilable differences" after 14 years of marriage. 

At the time, she requested joint legal and physical custody of their two daughters, Billie and Georgia, along with spousal support. Eric agreed to both terms and by 2019, they had exchanged preliminary financial information.

Despite these initial steps, the case stalled for years with no further progress. After the split, the two continued to co-parent amicably, with Dane stating:

"After 14 years together, we have decided that ending our marriage is the best decision for our family. We will continue our friendship and work as a team to co-parent our two beautiful girls as they are the most important thing in the world to us."

Dane and Gayheart may have taken years to close the book on their divorce officially, but in reality, both seemed to have moved on. The "Grey's Anatomy" star has reportedly been spotted with multiple women, fueling speculation about his dating life.

InTouch reports that in July 2024, he was seen enjoying a sushi date with "The Talk" host Amanda Kloots, and earlier this year, Daily Mail reported he had stepped out with actress Priya Jain. 

Meanwhile, Gayheart has also been linked to businessman Peter Morton. When she and Dane first split in 2018, the actress embraced the changes, calling the situation a "new normal" for herself and their family.

"Not going to lie, it hasn't been easy," she admitted at the time, adding, "But I think what's exciting is what's ahead because there are so many different things that could happen now. I mean, we have so many options, and the good news is my kids are happy and healthy."

The former lovebirds' love story may not have been a Hollywood fairy tale, but it was certainly memorable. When they first met, Gayheart once admitted, "It's probably one of the least interesting stories in the world. It went basically like this: 'You wanna go out?' 'Yeah, sure.' Ten months later, we were married."

While their romance may have started simply, their relationship quickly became tabloid fodder. The Blast highlighted how the couple's quirks and personal life often made headlines, most notably in 2009 when a private video of the pair and another woman in a bathtub was leaked online. 

The scandal only fueled more curiosity about their marriage. Despite the controversies, Gayheart has long held her own in the public eye.

The 53-year-old became a household name as the face of Noxzema commercials and secured her place in pop culture with roles in the "Scream" movie franchise.

Gayheart has faced more than her fair share of hardships, but one tragedy from her past still haunts her. In 2019, as her divorce with Dane stalled and faced possible dismissal, Gayheart reflected on the tragedy that nearly broke her.

The Blast reported that the actress revealed she had once contemplated ending her own life following the accident. "I had a very terrible accident happen. A 9-year-old child died. And, you know, everything changed from that, and, you know, I still have trouble talking about it," she shared on a podcast. 

The mother-of-two added, "I still replay it in my head ... 'Had I stopped at the gas station, maybe I wouldn't have been on that street.' You know, those things never go away — they stay with you forever, and I did not cope very well after… Listen, I just didn't want to live after that accident."

In June 2001, Gayheart fatally struck 9-year-old Jorge Cruz Jr. as he crossed the street. She avoided jail time but was sentenced to three years of probation, her license was suspended for a year, and she completed 750 hours of community service.

She also reached a settlement with the child's family and paid for his funeral expenses. Despite the immense guilt and emotional turmoil that followed, Gayheart has worked to heal. "Luckily, I came out the other side, andreally positive things have happened in my life since then."

With the legal case abandoned, Rebecca Gayheart's next step remains unclear.