Eric Dane’s Daughters ‘Really Suffering’ Amid ALS Battle, Rebecca Gayheart Says
Gayheart says Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13, are taking it day by day as the family leans on therapy and privacy amid Eric Dane’s ALS progression.
Rebecca Gayheart says her husband Eric Dane's battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is taking a toll on their children. Gayheart spoke with People in comments published Saturday about the impact of the progressive disease on Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13, and the family’s effort to cope.
"Heartbreaking" is how Gayheart described the situation as she told People that Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13, are "really suffering" and taking it "day by day." She said the family is relying on professional therapists and is trying to maintain some hope and do it with dignity, grace and love.
Eric Dane, 52, revealed his diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in April, telling People that he was grateful to have his loving family by his side as they navigate the next chapter. The actor said the diagnosis was a stark turning point, noting that the disease is progressive and currently has no known cure. Gayheart has described the moment as a family turning point as they adjust to a new normal while seeking privacy.
Gayheart, who filed for divorce from Dane in 2018 and called off the split in March, said the two remain deeply connected as co-parents and best friends. She told People that they are "best of friends. We are really close. We are great co-parents" and that Dane remains her biggest champion in supporting their daughters as they process the news and its implications for their daily lives. The couple's relationship continues to be a central and evolving part of the family narrative as they move forward together for the sake of Billie and Georgia.
In June, Dane sat down with Diane Sawyer on an episode of Good Morning America to discuss how the aggressive neurodegenerative condition has altered his daily life. He described the physical toll as he explained that one side of his body remains functional while the other has not. "I have one functioning arm. My dominant side, my left side, is functioning," he said. "My right side has completely stopped working." He added that the symptoms are "sobering" and that the disease now defines his days, underscoring the personal impact of ALS on a public figure navigating family life and career. He said he calls Rebecca every day and emphasized that they have managed to become better friends and better parents, with Gayheart supporting him as he confronts the illness.
The couple's decision to publicly share the diagnosis earlier this year has drawn attention to the broader challenges ALS poses for families. Gayheart told People that she wishes there were a cure and that the disease remains heartbreaking for those watching loved ones struggle. "I wish there was a cure," she admitted, highlighting the ongoing hope that advances in research will yield a breakthrough that could alter the trajectory of the disease for Danes and others facing ALS.
The family has sought professional therapy to help them cope with the emotional strain and to provide a structured support system for Billie and Georgia as they navigate adolescence amid serious health concerns facing a parent. Gayheart stressed that their children are "taking it day by day" and that the family is trying to preserve privacy during a period marked by rapid medical and emotional change. She noted that while the family is closer in the wake of the diagnosis, they do not embrace the circumstances that brought them together.
Dane has previously spoke of the profound impact ALS could have on his time with his daughters. In earlier remarks, he acknowledged the possibility that he might be separated from them at a young age due to the disease’s progression, a reality he has faced with candor and a focus on safeguarding his daughters’ wellbeing. The actor has also described the importance of maintaining a stable, supportive home environment as they pursue treatment options and therapy.
A representative for Dane did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
The couple’s ongoing efforts to balance medical realities with family life reflect broader conversations about ALS care, funding for research, and the emotional toll on families. As Dane’s illness progresses, Gayheart’s remarks offer a window into the day-to-day realities faced by loved ones, including how siblings cope with a parent’s diagnosis and how the family unit adapts to a shifting future. The situation remains under the watchful eye of fans and observers who are tracking news on ALS breakthroughs and the resilience of families dealing with the disease.
The latest updates come as supporters rally behind Dane’s family, hoping for continued privacy and space to grieve, while also celebrating the love that binds them and the determination to navigate this challenging chapter with dignity, grace, and hope.
As the family continues to navigate this difficult diagnosis, they remain focused on their children and on ways to preserve normalcy where possible. The ALS journey is ongoing, with new medical developments and patient-centered care shaping the daily realities of Dane and his family. The public continues to watch closely, offering support while respecting their request for privacy during a challenging period that affects more than one generation.
