Eric Dane's Turbulent Love Story With Rebecca Gayheart Through the Years

Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart lived a paradox: they were a married couple who hadn't shared a home in almost a decade and openly dated other people.

Their relationship never fit a simple label, and Gayheart said so herself. However, it lasted over two decades — through marriage, separation, a divorce filing that never went through, and hard times that brought them back together.

The pair met in 2003 and married several years later, eventually welcoming two daughters: Billie, now 15, and Georgia, now 14. What unraveled between them, and what held, is a story that played out in fits and starts, in courthouses and red carpets and hospital waiting rooms.

When Things Fell Apart

The marriage was not without turbulence. By Gayheart's account, a lot went wrong over the years. The two separated in September 2017 after 14 years together. In February 2018, Gayheart filed for divorce from Dane, citing irreconcilable differences.

In a statement at the time, Dane said the decision was made in the best interest of their family and that the two would continue co-parenting their daughters, Billie, then 7, and Georgia, then 6.

Gayheart requested joint legal and physical custody of both girls. Notably, the date of separation was listed as "TBD" in the filing.

In the years that followed, both dated other people. By November 2024, Dane had been linked to Priya Jain, and on several occasions, the two were spotted on casual strolls in Los Angeles.

The Divorce That Never Finalized

Despite the filing, the divorce never went through. In March 2025, nearly seven years after Gayheart first filed, she moved to dismiss the case. Dane signed off, and the Los Angeles court closed it. They remained, technically, married.

A month later, Gayheart addressed their status directly. "We are best of friends. We are really close. We are great coparents," she told E! News in April 2025.

She added, "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."

The very next day, Dane publicly announced his ALS diagnosis.

A Relationship Without a Simple Label

In December 2025, Gayheart gave the fullest picture yet of what their relationship actually looked like. By then, they had lived apart for eight years. Both had dated other people. And yet the bond between them had never fully dissolved.

She described it plainly:

"We separated, but we never got a divorce; we were about to and then we didn't. We haven't lived in the same home for eight years; he's dated other people, I've dated someone. It's a very complicated relationship, one that's confusing for people. Our love may not be romantic, but it's a familial love."

His Biggest Supporter

When Dane called Gayheart from a doctor's office in San Francisco to tell her he had ALS, she was at home with their youngest daughter. She described the moment as devastating — the two wept together over the phone. In her essay, Rebecca also recalled Eric exhibiting early symptoms of the disease, such as struggling to use his chopsticks while eating and dropping food.

In the months that followed, she became his most consistent source of support. Dane said as much himself in a June 2025 interview, calling her his biggest champion and the person he leaned on most. "We have managed to become better friends and better parents," he said.

He also walked his first red carpet since his diagnosis that same month, this time with photographer and filmmaker Janell Shirtcliff at the Los Angeles premiere of "Countdown" on June 18, 2025.

Gayheart, for her part, was equally clear about where she stood. "Eric knows that I am always going to want the best for him," she said.

Whatever the state of their romantic lives, Gayheart made her position clear. She intended to show up for Dane through his illness and to show their daughters what that looked like.

Dane died on February 19, 2026, at 53. His family's statement noted that he spent his final days surrounded by his devoted wife and their two daughters.

Inside the Statement from His Loved Ones

In a statement to People, Dane's family said he died Thursday afternoon after battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which they described as courageous.

They added that throughout his illness, he became "a passionate advocate for awareness and research," determined to help others confronting the same disease.

The family also noted that he deeply appreciated the support from fans and asked for privacy as they continue to grieve.

The statement added, "He 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."

Long before the family's statement, Dane had shared his diagnosis with the world.

When He First Spoke About ALS

On April 10, 2025, Dane publicly shared his diagnosis for the first time. "I have been diagnosed with ALS," he told People exclusively. "I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter."

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the disease causes loss of muscle control as motor neurons gradually deteriorate and die. There is no cure, and symptoms typically worsen over time.

The condition often begins with muscle weakness in the hands, arms, feet, or legs and may also cause slurred speech or difficulty swallowing. As it advances, ALS affects the muscles needed to move, speak, eat, and breathe.

Despite the progression of the disease, Dane indicated at the time that he intended to keep working. He was preparing to resume filming Season 3 of "Euphoria" on April 14, just days after publicly sharing his diagnosis.

"I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to set of Euphoria next week," he said. "I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time."

But months after first sharing his diagnosis, Dane offered a more personal look at how the disease had progressed.

The Moment He Knew Something Was Wrong

In June 2025, Dane spoke with ABC News' Diane Sawyer about when he first realized something was wrong. He said the earliest symptom was weakness in his right hand.

"I started experiencing some weakness in my right hand. And I didn't really think anything of it at the time," Dane said. He initially assumed it was fatigue or that he had been using his phone too much.

As the weakness progressed, he consulted several hand specialists before a neurologist told him the case was "way above my pay grade."

Dane said the disease has since advanced. "My right side is completely, completely stopped working," he told Sawyer, indicating his right arm resting in his lap.

When asked about his left arm, he replied, "No, it's going. Yeah, I feel like maybe a couple few more months, and I won't have my left hand either. Sobering."

The interview turned emotional when Sawyer asked who he calls when it becomes overwhelming. "I call Rebecca. I talk to her every day," he said, referring to his wife, Rebecca Gayheart.

His passing comes months after he offered fans a rare and candid glimpse into his health battle.

As previously reported, Dane made a rare and emotional appearance in a new video interview, revealing the personal challenges he faced after being diagnosed with ALS in April 2025.

A Rare Appearance That Shook Fans

The actor opened up in a December 4, 2025, virtual panel about portraying a firefighter with ALS in the NBC drama "Brilliant Minds."

"It was hard, and there were moments where it was very difficult for me to get the lines out," Dane said in the Entertainment Tonight interview. "I've never played a character who's going through something I'm dealing with in real time, in real life as well."

During the panel, his speech was noticeably strained — a heart-stopping reminder of the disease's relentless progression. "I'm fairly limited in what I can do physically," he shared. As mobility issues grew, showrunners adapted his scenes so he performed most of them while seated.

One subtle detail viewers may have noticed was that Dane chewed gum in certain scenes. According to him, it was more than an acting choice.

"The director said, 'We're going to pick a couple [of] scenes where he's chewing gum.' It came to kind of in the moment," recounted Dane recounted, explaining that chewing gum helped alleviate symptoms like brain fog.

Using His Voice While He Still Can

Even as the disease tightened its grip, Dane stressed his mission: raising awareness. "You want to make sure that people are aware of what ALS is and what it's about and more importantly what we can do to combat it," he noted.

The father of two teenage daughters also revealed that he had completed work on two additional series, including the third season of HBO's "Euphoria," after receiving his terminal diagnosis.

He remained committed to acting, though he acknowledged a shift in the roles he was able to take on. "I'm willing to do just about anything. I'll take on any role, but I think from here on out it's going to have to be ALS-centric," he stated.

Speaking about his mindset, Dane added, "I have no reason to be in a good spirit at any time on any given day. I don't think anybody would blame me if I went upstairs in my bedroom, crawled under the sheets, and spent the next two weeks crying. I was a little bit pleasantly surprised to realize that I wasn't built like that."

Heartbroken Fans React

The emotional footage drew immediate reactions from viewers, many of whom expressed sorrow and shock at the visible progression of Dane's condition.

One person wrote, "ALS is awful for all those inflicted. Wow, his condition has progressed so fast. What a [expletive] shame." Another divulged, "Such an amazing man. An example for us all."

A third viewer commented, "My heart breaks for Eric and I'm so sorry he's suffering with this. I wish I had something positive to say about ALS, but I don't. It's an awful way to die."

But amid the public reaction, another chapter of Dane's personal life was unfolding.

A Family Struggling to Stay Strong

In a later interview with People on September 27, 2025, Gayheart spoke further about how Dane's diagnosis had affected the family.

Appearing at Step Up's 2025 Inspiration Awards, she disclosed that she and her daughters were receiving emotional support. "We have some professional therapists who are helping us, and we're just trying to have some hope and do it with dignity, grace and love," she revealed.

The emotional toll on their daughters had been profound. "I mean, it's heartbreaking. My girls are really suffering, and we're just trying to get through it. It's a tough time," Gayheart added.

Still, she noted that the girls had shown interest in entertainment, just like their parents. "My 15-year-old definitely wants to model and act," she expressed. "They both talk about it, but they're too young yet."

Eric Dane's journey with ALS unfolded in both his personal life and professional work. Through candid interviews and public appearances, he chose to bring visibility to the realities of living with the disease while continuing to act and remain present for his family.