Eric Dane Revealed He Was 'Angry' ALS Was Taking Him Away From His 'Very Young' Kids Before His Death

Eric Dane opened up about the emotional toll of ALS in the months before his death, saying he was fighting the disease despite "so much" being out of his control.

The "Grey's Anatomy" star admitted he feared leaving his young daughters behind, having lost his own father at seven.

Even as his health declined, Eric Dane remained devoted to family and advocacy, using his platform to raise awareness and push for ALS research funding.

In the months leading up to his death at 53, Dane spoke about the emotional toll of living with ALS.

In a June 2025 interview with ABC News, the actor shared that while the diagnosis had shaken him, it had not stripped him of hope.

"I don't think this is the end of my story. I just don't feel like in my heart this is the end for me," Dane said at the time, per Us Weekly. "I'm fighting as much as I can. There's so much about it that's out of my control."

Though he tried to remain hopeful, the reality of the disease weighed heavily on him. ALS,  which affects thousands of newly diagnosed individuals each year, forced Dane to confront fears that felt deeply personal.

Having lost his own father to suicide when he was just seven, the "Grey's Anatomy" actor admitted he struggled with the thought that his daughters might also grow up without him.

"I'm angry because my father was taken from me when I was young, and now there's a very good chance I'm going to be taken from my girls while they are very young," he shared during the interview with Diane Sawyer. "At the end of the day, all I want to do is spend time with my family and work a little bit if I can."

Dane leaves behind two daughters, Billie and Georgia, whom he shared with actress Rebecca Gayheart.

Although Gayheart initially filed for divorce in 2018, she later withdrew the petition in March 2025. Over time, their bond shifted into a strong partnership rooted in friendship and co-parenting.

During his interview, Dane revealed that Gayheart remained the person he turned to in his hardest moments.

Holding back emotion, he explained that they spoke every day and had grown into better friends and more united parents. He described her as his "biggest champion," someone he relied on deeply.

Dane also shared that one of the most difficult realizations of his illness came during a day at sea with his youngest daughter.

A former competitive swimmer and water polo player, Dane had always felt confident in the water.

But that confidence was shaken when he dove into the ocean and suddenly recognized he no longer had the strength to swim back to the boat on his own.

"I realized at that moment I'm not safe in the water anymore. [My daughter] dragged me back to the boat," he recalled. "I was breaking down in tears. I made sure she got back in the water with her friend and continued on with the snorkeling. But I was heartbroken."

On February 19, news broke that Dane had passed away. His death came two decades after he first appeared on "Grey's Anatomy" as Dr. Mark Sloan, a role that cemented his place in television history.

In a statement, his family said he was surrounded by close friends in his final days. They also noted that "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."

"He will be deeply missed and always lovingly remembered. 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," the statement concluded.

Tributes quickly poured in from friends and colleagues across Hollywood, many honoring not only his talent but also his character.

Ashton Kutcher, who worked with Dane on "Valentine's Day," shared a heartfelt message on X, remembering their shared fantasy football league and expressing hope that progress would continue in the fight against ALS.

Nina Dobrev, his co-star in "Redeeming Love," described him as "warm, generous, prepared, and so passionate about what he did." She noted that he brought kindness to every set he worked on and expressed hope that his memory would inspire greater awareness and momentum toward finding a cure.

Last October, Dane shared that he was forced to withdraw from a scheduled appearance at the Emmy Awards after suffering a head injury connected to complications from ALS.

He had been slated to take the stage alongside his former "Grey's Anatomy" co-star Jesse Williams, but ultimately had to cancel at the last minute.

Though the injury kept him from attending the ceremony, it didn't slow his broader mission. Just days later, Dane traveled to Washington, D.C., where he met with lawmakers to push for increased federal funding and greater attention toward ALS research, a disease that still has no cure and remains not fully understood.

Speaking to The Washington Post about stepping into advocacy, Dane explained that he felt a responsibility to use his platform, particularly for those without access to the same level of medical care.

Rest in peace, Eric Dane.