'You are truly holding us up': Rebecca Gayheart’s heartfelt note after Eric Dane’s demise

Hollywood’s been reeling since Eric Dane passed away. He was the kind of actor people felt like they knew: first as Dr. Mark Sloan on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, then as Cal Jacobs on ‘Euphoria’. Fans everywhere are feeling this loss. Dane passed away on February 19, 2026, at 53, after fighting ALS, a disease he only talked about publicly less than a year ago.

Now, for the first time since losing her husband, Rebecca Gayheart has opened up. Her message is raw, honest, and full of gratitude. She’s thanking everyone who reached out and sharing what it’s like to lose someone who meant so much — not just to her, but to so many.

Rebecca Gayheart’s first words after his passing

Rebecca’s taking things day by day. In her first public statement, she thanked fans, friends, and everyone in the entertainment world for their support. She posted on Instagram on February 22, alongside old photos of her and Eric: “I am so blown away by the outpouring of love and support from our community. There aren’t words to express our gratitude.”

Gayheart and Dane have two daughters: Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14. She added, “You are truly holding us up during this difficult time.” She posted pictures, memories, and lit a candle for Eric, honoring his life with a quiet kind of reverence.

She talked about how hard this road has been: the challenges of ALS, the ups and downs of family life, and the love that held them together. There was sadness in her words, but also a deep thankfulness for the family they built and the help they’ve received.

Who is Rebecca Gayheart?

Rebecca’s been acting and modeling since the ’90s. You might remember her from ‘Jawbreaker’ or ‘Urban Legend’, plus guest spots on TV shows like ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’. She and Eric Dane became one of those familiar Hollywood couples, and people rooted for them.

A life shared: Rebecca Gayheart and Eric Dane

Rebecca and Eric met in the early 2000s, married in 2004, and had two daughters. They separated in 2018 after 14 years, but never actually divorced. In fact, in March 2025, when Eric got sick, Rebecca asked to dismiss the divorce. The family came together.

In a recent essay for ‘The Cut’, per E! News, Rebecca wrote, “I care about him deeply. We had a really lovely marriage for a long time. We were married for 15 years, and we created two beautiful girls. But also, lots of s**t went crazy in our relationship, and it wasn't good.”

She went on: “We separated, but we never got a divorce. We were about to and then didn't. We haven't lived in the same home for eight years; he's dated other people, I've dated someone.”

Even after they split, Rebecca and Eric stayed close, as co-parents, friends, and partners in a way that went beyond labels. Rebecca was his main caregiver during his illness, all while making sure their daughters felt loved and supported.