Eric Dane's Girlfriend Breaks Silence On His Death With Shared Memories
By Afouda Bamidele on February 22, 2026 at 11:30 AM EST
Eric Dane's girlfriend, Janell Shirtcliff, looks back on fun times together!
The late actor's partner broke her social media hiatus to honor the memories of the actor by sharing candid pictures of them while he was alive.
Eric Dane passed away on Thursday, February 19, nearly a year after he shared his 2024 ALS diagnosis with the world.
Eric Dane's Girlfriend Highlighted Some Of His Hobbies In New Pictures
Shirtcliff shared three images on her Instagram story featuring the actor planting a soft kiss on her shoulder as she rocked a sleeveless strip dress paired with a gold chain and a black bucket hat. The late actor kept the vibe very chic in a black pair of shades and a white cap combo.
The second slide showcased Dane settling in nicely in a chair for a tattoo session at home with a big smile on his face. Dane, who appeared to be battling the growing effect of ALS at this point, wore a matching black ensemble with white sneakers and striped socks.
Shirtcliff's third image showed the actor in a horse stable, looking quite the stylish cowboy in a white shirt and tan pants combo, paired with a tan cowboy hat. He finished off the look with white sunglasses as he posed alongside a stunning horse.
Although Shirtcliff did not attach any caption to the images, her message about missing the talented actor remains very loud.
Janell Shirtcliff Was There For The Actor As He Battled His Illness
Dane and Shirtcliff's relationship emerged after his estranged relationship with Rebecca Gayheart, and the two were engaged in an on-and-off relationship for three years until the time he passed.
According to Page Six, the actor had reportedly asked Shirtcliff to be by his side during the final days of the illness, and she happily got involved due to their very close bond and concern for each other.
As for his relationship with Gayheart, the actor had clarified earlier that they were just friends, but with an amazing co-parenting relationship. He added that their kids also benefit from their amazing bond.
Eric Dane's Ex-Girlfriend Blindsided By His Romance With The Director
Before Shirtcliff entered the picture, Dane was reportedly in a relationship with Jain, and they sparked romance rumors when they were spotted grabbing a bite at a sushi restaurant in West Hollywood.
However, The Blast stated that his sighting on the red carpet alongside Shirtcliff for the Los Angeles premiere of his project "Countdown," set tongues wagging about trouble in his and Jain's paradise.
A source close to the Jain and Dane shared that they grew closer in 2024, and she spent almost every night in his house, leaving behind items like her clothes.
The insider added that the actor and Jain never actually broke up, and his situation with Shirtcliff makes everything even more complicated, like a love triangle.
Inside Eric Dane And His Estranged Wife Rebecca Gayheart's Close Relationship
Despite going their separate ways in 2018, after 14 years of marriage, the duo was reportedly best of friends until death, so much so that they decided to dismiss their divorce petition in the wake of his sickness.
Dane gave a close look into their cordial relationship and praised her for being very supportive throughout his ALS episodes. He explained to Diane Sawyer on "Good Morning America" that he talks to Gayheart every day.
"We have managed to become better friends and better parents, and she is probably my biggest champion and most stalwart supporter, and I lean on her," the actor noted.
Gayheart and Dane are parents to two adorable daughters, Billie and Georgia, and have, over the years, developed a helpful formula to stick together.
Eric Dane Shared Lessons From His ALS Journey In Netflix Interview
Shortly after his death, Netflix released a never-before-seen interview with the actor where he discussed several areas of his life, from his relationship to his bond with his two daughters.
The actor left his children with words of encouragement alongside valuable lessons from fighting ALS for nearly two years. As stated by The Blast, Dane urged everyone to live in the present and not let challenges of the future bother them so much.
"Second, fall in love. Not necessarily with a person, although I do recommend that as well. But fall in love with something. Find your passion, your joy. Find the thing that makes you wanna get up in the morning," he added.
During his time on earth, Dane dedicated the latter part of his life to advocating for the ALS community, using his voice and huge platform to create awareness for the disease. A fundraiser was also organized towards a $250,000 goal to help his daughter's stability now and in the future.
