Eric Dane's ALS battle weighs on family as wife Rebecca Gayheart speaks out
Gayheart says their two daughters are taking it day by day as the actor's diagnosis shapes the family's daily life.
Eric Dane’s amyotrophic lateral sclerosis diagnosis announced in April marks a difficult chapter for the actor and his family. The Grey’s Anatomy alumnus, 52, disclosed the illness in a statement to People magazine and asked for privacy as he and his loved ones navigate what he described as the next chapter.
Gayheart, 54, spoke to People in an interview published over the weekend, detailing how she and the couple’s two daughters, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13, are coping. She said they are taking it day by day and have professional therapists supporting them, while the family strives to maintain dignity, grace, and love amid the challenge.
Dane and Gayheart began dating in 2003 and married in October 2004. In 2018 Gayheart filed for divorce; she later sought to dismiss that petition in March, just weeks before Dane revealed his diagnosis. The move appeared to reflect a renewed connection between the two, even as they navigate the illness and its impact on their household.
Gayheart acknowledged in the interview that maintaining a positive mindset has been difficult. She said she is not yet sure if she can offer a positive takeaway amid the struggle, but that the family has drawn closer and that Eric remains her family regardless of marital status. She called the disease horrible and expressed a wish for a cure.
In June Dane opened up to People about how Gayheart has supported him during his battle. He said he speaks to her daily, and that their relationship has evolved into a strong friendship and collaborative parenting partnership. He described Gayheart as his biggest champion and a steady source of support as he faces a progressively disabling disease.
Dane has repeatedly described his approach to the illness as one day at a time. In June he told Fox News Digital that today is a good day, a simple win that helps him keep moving forward. He has also discussed the emotional toll of the disease, noting that remaining hopeful is an important part of his outlook.
During a June interview with Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America, Dane detailed the disease’s effects, including loss of mobility in his limbs. He said his left arm still functions while the right side is largely nonfunctional, a sobering reality that could mean ongoing adaptations in his daily life.
Support from his medical team has also shaped Dane’s outlook. He credited Dr Merit Cudkowicz, the physician leading his care, with offering a sense of hope distinct from some other doctors he has met. He said that hope fuels his determination to stay engaged professionally rather than retire.
Even as the health challenge intensifies, Dane indicated he intends to keep working as long as possible, saying he plans to ride this thing until the wheels fall off. The family’s priority remains the wellbeing of their two daughters, Billie and Georgia, and their continued bond in the face of adversity.