Rebecca Gayheart is speaking out after the death of husband Eric Dane.
âI am so blown away by the outpouring of love and support from our community,â she wrote via her Instagram Stories on Sunday. âThere arenât words to express our gratitude.â
The âUrban Legendâ star added, âYou are truly holding us up during this difficult time.â
The beloved âGreyâs Anatomyâ star died on Thursday at the age of 53, following a battle with ALS.
âWith heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,â read a family statement to People.
âHe spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world.â
âThroughout 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 lovingly remembered always,â the statement continued.
âEric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support heâs received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time.â
Following his passing, the âScream 2â actress â who emerged in public on Friday for the first time since Daneâs death â also shared intimate family photos on Instagram.
The âEuphoriaâ actor shared his diagnosis with the debilitating condition in April 2025, just one month after he and Gayheart called off their divorce.
âI have been diagnosed with ALS,â he told People at the time. âI am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.âÂ
The âBeverly Hills, 90210â actress and Dane married in 2004 and welcomed daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14, before separating in 2018.
After calling off the divorce amid Daneâs ALS diagnosis, the model, 54, broke down her âsuper complicatedâ role with the âBrilliant Mindsâ actor â explaining that she intended to âshow upâ for Dane in order to be a ârole modelâ for their daughters.
â[I tell them], âNo matter what, he is our family and he is your father,ââ she explained during a November appearance on the âBroad Ideasâ podcast.
âWe show up, and we try to do it with some dignity and some grace and just get through it the best we can.â
Gayheart explained that she wanted âto make sure I provide them with the opportunity to spend time with him, so they donât ever look back [and wish they did more].â
She also confessed, âItâs super complicated for me. Weâve been separated for eight years.â
Gayheart â who has been romantically linked to Peter Morton in recent months â was seen out with Dane last year for a family outing amid his battle with ALS.
In an April 2025 interview with E! News, she gushed over their friendly co-parenting relationship â just a day prior to the announcement of his diagnosis.
âWe are best of friends,â told the outlet at the time. âWe are really close. We are great co-parents.â
As they navigated their new reality as a family, Dane dated actress Priya Jain.
In an emotional essay for The Cut in December 2025, Gayheart clarified that their âlove may not be romantic, but itâs a familial love.â
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