A GoFundMe campaign established to support the family of actor Eric Dane had raised nearly $350,000 as of Monday, following his death from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) on February 19. The campaign, titled “In Honor of Eric Dane,” was briefly placed on hold by the fundraising platform over the weekend for a standard review, but was subsequently verified and listed the Grey’s Anatomy star’s family as the beneficiary.
The fundraiser aims to provide financial stability for Dane’s wife, Rebecca Gayheart, and their two daughters, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14, as they navigate life after his death. Organizers, identifying themselves as “Friends of the Dane Family,” stated the funds will cover schooling, housing, and other essential needs.
The surge in online fundraising for families facing substantial medical expenses, as seen with both Eric Dane and actor James Van Der Beek, highlights the challenges within the U.S. Healthcare system. Van Der Beek, who died on February 10 after a battle with cancer, prompted a GoFundMe campaign that quickly exceeded $1 million in donations from supporters including Zoe Saldaña and Steven Spielberg. The need for such campaigns underscores the financial burden of serious illness, even for those with established careers.
Dane publicly revealed his ALS diagnosis less than a year before his death. Even as his health deteriorated, he remained an advocate for ALS awareness, a commitment noted on the GoFundMe page. The campaign emphasized that his illness “progressed far more quickly than anyone could have imagined.”
Sam Levinson, the creator of HBO’s Euphoria, where Dane appeared in its first two seasons, contributed $27,000 to the GoFundMe, according to campaign data. Dane continued to work on the display even as his condition worsened, filming scenes in a wheelchair for the third season. He died at the age of 53.
In a posthumously released interview on the Netflix show Famous Last Words, Dane addressed his daughters, expressing his hope that they would remember his presence in their lives – attending their sporting events and performances. He as well shared his wish for them to discover fulfilling passions, stating, “I hope you’ll fall in love… with something that makes you want to wake up every day.” He urged them to truly listen to his words, not just hear them.
GoFundMe initially paused the campaign to confirm it met the platform’s Terms of Service and to verify the beneficiary, a standard procedure according to a company statement. The platform confirmed to Rolling Stone that the fundraiser is now active and donations are being accepted.
