Dax Shepard recently shared details about his relationship with Eric Dane, explaining how their connection changed over time. The two first met during recovery meetings, where their initial interactions were not positive.
Shepard explained that when they first met, there was tension between them. He said, “Eric Dane, I can now say I met in recovery and we hated each other. I hated him!” He described feeling that Dane was behaving like a bully during one meeting, which led to a confrontation. Shepard recalled saying, “Let’s go. Outside. Right now.” The situation nearly turned into a physical fight before others stepped in and stopped it.
Despite this, both continued attending the same meetings. Over time, Shepard said he began to understand Dane better by listening to his personal experiences. He shared that Dane had gone through a difficult childhood. “Over the course of the next two years, I found myself starting to kind of relate to him,” Shepard said. He spoke about Dane’s early life, including the loss of his father, and how it shaped his personality and actions.
Shepard added, “And so that little boy held onto that. And then that little boy grew up without a dad like I grew up without a dad,” explaining how this shared experience helped him connect with Dane. Gradually, their relationship improved as they found common ground.
The turning point came during one of their group discussions. Shepard said, “I can’t believe I’m gonna say this, but that’s one of my favorite shares I’ve ever heard.” Soon after, Dane responded in a similar way, saying, “I can’t believe I’m gonna say this, but I think I’ve come to fall in love with Dax.” This marked the beginning of their friendship.
From then on, they spent time together outside meetings, discussing personal topics such as growing up without a father and understanding identity. Shepard described developing a strong bond and said he came to appreciate Dane’s struggles and efforts.
He also spoke about Dane’s later years, including his diagnosis with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Shepard noted the strength it took for Dane to face the illness publicly.
Dane, known for his role in Grey’s Anatomy, passed away on Feb. 19 at the age of 53. In a statement, his family said, “With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS.” They added that he was surrounded by loved ones and remembered for his efforts to raise awareness about the condition.
Shepard’s account reflects how their relationship changed over time, moving from conflict to understanding and friendship.