In a final message to his daughters, Billie and Georgia, actor Eric Dane spoke of striving to be a good father, words released posthumously by Netflix as part of the documentary “Famous Last Words: Eric Dane.” Dane, who died Thursday from complications related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), recorded the interview in November, stipulating it be released after his death.
“Billie and Georgia, these words are for you. I tried. I stumbled sometimes, but I tried,” Dane said in the interview, according to Netflix. “we had a blast, didn’t we?”
The 53-year-old actor, known for his roles in “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Euphoria,” reflected on his 22-year marriage to Rebecca Gayheart, acknowledging its complexities. “We still love each other deeply. I just think we don’t want to live with each other. But there’s a lot of love there,” he stated. He further emphasized the depth of his affection for Gayheart, saying, “I will have never—by the time anybody sees this—have fallen in love with another woman as deeply as I fell in love with Rebecca. She’s the mother of my children.”
Gayheart had initially filed for divorce in 2018, but withdrew the petition in March 2024, shortly before Dane publicly disclosed his ALS diagnosis. In a December interview with The Cut, Gayheart described how her husband’s illness had shifted her perspective, stating, “Eric and I are not a couple; we’re family.” She added, “Our love may not be romantic, but it’s a familial love.”
The release of the interview coincides with a period of public mourning and remembrance of Dane, with social media posts highlighting his devotion to his daughters. Entertainment Tonight shared a photo of Dane with Billie and Georgia in 2024, recalling how he “just lit up” when speaking about them.
Billie Eilish, 15, and Georgia Dane, 14, have not yet publicly commented on the release of their father’s final message. Eilish recently spoke out on January 26, 2026, regarding ICE actions and the death of Alex Pretti, calling for fellow celebrities to address the issue.
