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Rebecca Gayheart Details “Very Complicated” Eric Dane Relationship Amid His ALS Battle
Rebecca Gayheart always kept Eric Dane close, even though they weren’t together.
Leading up to the Grey’s Anatomy alum’s tragic death after his battle with ALS Feb. 19, his ex maintained an extremely close bond to support him through his illness.
“We are best friends,” Rebecca told E! News in April, shortly after he shared his diagnosis with the world. “We are really close. We are great co-parents."
Indeed, while the couple—who share daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14—separated in 2017, they never got a divorce. As Rebecca put it, “We really figured out the formula to staying a family and I think our kids are benefiting greatly from it and we are as well.”
Despite the end of their romance, Rebecca assured that she still considered her relationship with Eric extremely steady.
“I think it’s important to not look at a relationship that ends as a failure," the 54-year-old said. "It's just a season. It wasn't a failure. It was a huge success. We were married for, I mean, we are still married, but together for 15 years and we had two beautiful kids so I think that's a successful relationship, and that's how we look at it.”
And while Rebecca admitted that her dynamic with Eric was “confusing” for people to grasp, the couple grew even closer following the Euphoria star’s diagnosis.
“Eric knows that I am always going to want the best for him,” she wrote in an essay published in The Cut in December. “That I’m going to do my best to do right by him. And I know he would do the same for me. So whatever I can do or however I can show up to make this journey better for him or easier for him, I want to do that.”
That meant spending a lot more time together amid his ALS battle.
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“We wanna take advantage of the time that he has right now,” Rebecca shared. “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.”
In supporting her ex through the absolutely debilitating illness, Rebecca admitted it completely transformed her.
“Eric’s diagnosis has changed my approach to everything,” she added. “Even with strangers, sometimes I’ll be standing in line to get my coffee and I’ll just look at them and go, ‘I wonder what they’re going through.’ Because I know everyone is going through something.”
For every star who has shared tributes for Eric, keep reading…
Monica Schipper/WireImage
Paul Walter Hauser
The I, Tonya actor—who costarred alongside Eric in the 2023 film Americana—reflected on his friendship with the Grey's Anatomy actor.
"We tried to book gigs, we tried to laugh at the pain and we tried to stay sober," Paul wrote on Instagram. "I’m glad we got to play together in Americana."
He added, "I love you, man. I wish we had more time. Enjoy the arms of Father God. I’ll see you again."
Astrida Valigorsky/Getty Images
Maria Shriver
The journalist shared she was "heartbroken" by the "devastating news" of Eric's death.
"He was so heroic the way he handled his diagnosis," she wrote on X." He used his voice to let the world know what it was like living with ALS."
She added of his upcoming memoir, being published under her imprint, "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."
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images
Selma Blair
The Cruel Intentions actress—who worked with Dane on the ‘90s show Zoe, Duncan, Jack & Jane—offered her condolences by tagging the late actor in an Instagram Story and writing, “I love you. And yours.”
Alexandra Wyman/WireImage
Ashton Kutcher
The That '70s Show actor reflected on the fun he had in a Fantasy Football league with Eric, writing on X, "The Franklin strip fanatics fantasy football league will miss Mr. Eric Dane. We know you’ll be watching from the booth. Miss you, buddy. Let’s keep fighting the fight to solve ALS."
Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for HBO
Sam Levinson
The Euphoria creator shared that his friendship with Dane—who played Cal Jacobs on the HBO series—was “a gift” following his tragic passing.
“I’m heartbroken by the loss of our dear friend Eric,” he said in a statement to Variety. “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.”
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Nina Dobrev
“Heartbroken to hear about the passing of Eric,” his Redeeming Love costar wrote on her Instagram Stories alongside a picture on set with him. “He was warm, generous, prepared, and so passionate about what he did. He led with kindness and made everyone on our set feel seen.”
She added, “ALS is a cruel and unforgiving disease. May his memory inspire more research, awareness, and progress toward a cure. He will be deeply missed.”
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Alyssa Milano
The Charmed actress commemorated her friendship with Eric, who played her onscreen love interest on the show.
"I can’t stop seeing that spark in Eric’s eye right before he’d say something that would either make you spit out your drink or rethink your entire perspective," she wrote on Instagram. "He had a razor-sharp sense of humor. He loved the absurdity of things. He loved catching people off guard."
And she credited him with her daring 2003 look.
"He convinced me to get my pixie cut and my nose piercing," Alyssa continued. "He also was with me on the walk when we found Lucy, my beloved rescue chihuahua. He called me 'Milano,' as if it was the only part of my name that mattered."
She concluded, "My heart is with the people who were lucky enough to be his home."
Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
Kevin McKidd
The Grey’s Anatomy alum—who played Owen Hunt opposite Dane’s Dr. Mark "McSteamy" Sloan on the ABC medical drama—shared a photo of his costar to Instagram Stories along with the caption, “Rest in peace buddy.”
Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images
Phaedra Parks
The Real Housewives of Atlanta alum remembered Eric’s moniker on Grey’s Anatomy, writing on Instagram, “Sweet baby Jesus not McSteamy Lord.”
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