A posthumous interview with actor Eric Dane, filmed months before his death from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), was released Friday on Netflix, offering a deeply personal message to his daughters, Billie and Georgia.
The nearly hour-long documentary, titled “Famous Last Words,” features Dane reflecting on his life and career, and sharing advice for his daughters, aged 15 and 14 at the time of filming. Dane announced his ALS diagnosis in April 2025 and died Thursday at the age of 53.
The interview, conducted by Brad Falchuk, was recorded in November 2024 with the understanding it would be released after Dane’s passing. Footage shows the actor, seated in a wheelchair and speaking with a weakened voice, recalling cherished memories and imparting lessons learned during his battle with the debilitating disease.
Dane urged his daughters to “live in the present,” recounting his own past struggles with regret and anxiety. “For years, I’d wander off mentally, lost in my head…replaying decisions, second guessing myself,” he said in the interview. He emphasized the importance of appreciating each moment, stating, “The past contains regrets. The future remains unknown. So you have to live now. The present is all you have. Treasure it, cherish every moment.”
He also encouraged them to “fall in love” – not necessarily with a romantic partner, but with a passion or purpose that brings joy and fulfillment. Dane spoke of the importance of finding something that motivates one to “get up in the morning,” referencing his own lifelong dedication to acting.
The actor also reflected on the impact of losing his father at age seven and his subsequent struggles with addiction to drugs and alcohol, according to Netflix. Dane expressed a desire for his daughters to remember his presence in their lives, recalling attending their beach volleyball games and dance recitals, even admitting to having seen “The Nutcracker” multiple times.
In a particularly poignant moment, Dane delivered what he described as his “last words” to his daughters: “Solid night. I love you. These are my last words.” He implored them to fight until “the last breath” and never give up, asserting that whereas ALS had ravaged his body, it had not diminished his spirit. “Billie and Georgia, you are my heart. You are everything to me. Good night. I love you. These are my last words.”
The “Famous Last Words” series originated in Denmark, with the premise of interviewing individuals with the understanding that the footage will only be released after their death. Falchuk has reportedly recorded five conversations for the series, with plans for more, and only a compact production team was involved in the process to ensure the interviewee felt safe to speak candidly.
