Eric Dane Announced Memoir Highlighting Special Moments Two Months Before His Death

Just two months before he passed away, Eric Dane announced that he had penned his life story, releasing a memoir that focused on the key moments in his life before and after his ALS diagnosis.

The project offers insight into the actor's personal journey, now cast in a bittersweet light following his untimely death.

In December 2025, Dane announced that he would be releasing a memoir detailing special moments in his life. The news came several months after the actor publicly shared his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

The memoir, titled "Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments," implores readers to reflect on their lives and cherish the moments that truly count. The book would be published by Maria Shriver's imprint, The Open Field.

In a social media post announcing the memoir, Shriver stated she was honored to publish Dane's memoir, thanking him for trusting her to tell his story.

"I want to capture the moments that shaped me -- the beautiful days, the hard ones, the ones I never took for granted... If sharing this helps someone find meaning in their own days, then my story is worth telling," Dane said in a statement.

Dane publicly announced in April 2025 that he had been diagnosed with ALS, a neurological condition that affects the nervous system. In an interview with ABC News, Dane recalled his symptoms, citing that he noticed his right hand getting weaker over time.

After several tests and consultations with specialists, he was told he had ALS. Despite getting physically weaker, the actor continued acting, even appearing as a guest star on "Brilliant Minds," where he played a character battling the same disease.

Dane also became an advocate for ALS, raising awareness for the disease. In January, as reported by The Blast, he was honored as the Advocate of the Year at the ALS Network Champions for Cures and Care Gala, but missed the celebration due to the "physical realities" of his condition.

Dane's family and friends rallied to support the actor amid his health crisis, including his estranged wife, Rebecca Gayheart. The former couple filed for divorce but dismissed it following Dane's diagnosis. Despite no longer being romantically involved, Gayheart said that they share "familial love."

"We wanna take advantage of the time that he has right now. He made it very clear that he wants to spend time with his family as much as possible, and I am committed to facilitating that," Gayheart said, per The Blast.

Dane passed away on February 19 at the age of 53, as confirmed by his family in a statement. "With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS," the statement read, adding that he was surrounded by his wife, their two daughters, and their friends during his final days.

No specific release date has been announced for Dane's memoir, only that it is scheduled for 2026. Some are questioning whether the memoir will be published following his recent passing.

On Instagram, Shriver paid tribute to the late actor, sharing what Dane said about his book. "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," Shriver wrote.

Per the memoir's press release in December 2025, it will cover meaningful moments in Dane's life, including the birth of his two daughters, his first day working on "Grey's Anatomy," his decision to get sober, and the day he learned he had ALS.

"Godspeed, Eric. It was an honor to know you, and we will honor your story," Shriver noted, a likely confirmation that the memoir will be published as planned.

Tributes poured from the entertainment industry shortly after the news of Dane's passing. Former co-stars and friends offered support to his family, while also reflecting on the impact he had on their lives.

"He had a razor-sharp sense of humor. He loved the absurdity of things. He loved catching people off guard," Alyssa Milano shared, adding that Dane was the one who convinced her to get her nose pierced and get a pixie cut.

"Euphoria" creator Sam Levinson shared, "Working with him was an honor. Being his friend was a gift. Eric's family is in our prayers. May his memory be for a blessing."

"He was warm, generous, prepared, and so passionate about what he did. He led with kindness and made everyone on our set feel seen," Nina Dobrev wrote.