In his final months, Eric Dane quietly prepared a message he hoped would stay with his daughters for life.
The actor, widely known for his roles in Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, passed away on February 19 at the age of 53. His death came just ten months after he publicly revealed his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
Before his passing, Dane participated in an intimate interview for Netflix’s upcoming series Famous Last Words. The conversation was recorded privately and released only after his death. In a poignant moment at the end, Dane was left alone with the camera — and used the time to speak directly to his daughters, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14, whom he shared with ex-wife Rebecca Gayheart.
Looking into the lens, he began gently, reflecting on the life they shared — beach days, laughter, and simple memories that became deeply meaningful in hindsight. He spoke of always picturing them playing in the water, recalling those moments as “heaven.”
Dane then shared four lessons that his illness had brought into sharp focus.
First, he urged them to live in the present. For years, he admitted, he had been weighed down by regrets and anxieties about the future. ALS changed that perspective, forcing him to focus on the here and now.
His second lesson was about passion — encouraging them to find what excites them and pursue it wholeheartedly. He revealed that acting became his passion at their age and remained a guiding force throughout his life.
The third was about friendship. As ALS gradually took away his physical independence, he found strength in the presence of friends who showed up when he needed them most.
Finally, he spoke about resilience. Despite the disease’s toll on his body, he insisted it could never diminish his spirit. He described resilience as his greatest strength — something he hoped his daughters would carry forward with dignity and grace.
As emotion filled his voice, Dane closed with a simple but profound message, telling Billie and Georgia they were his heart and everything.
It was his final goodbye — filled with love, honesty and enduring hope