Eric Dane’s Family Faces His ALS Battle ‘Day by Day,’ Says Wife Rebecca Gayheart
Hollywood star Eric Dane, best known for his roles in Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, continues to navigate life with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) — and his family is standing beside him every step of the way.
In an exclusive conversation at Step Up’s 2025 Inspiration Awards, Dane’s wife Rebecca Gayheart shared an emotional update on how she and their daughters, Billie (15) and Georgia (13), are coping with his diagnosis.
“We’re taking it day by day,” Gayheart revealed. “We have some professional therapists who are helping us, and we’re just trying to have hope and do it with dignity, grace, and love. My girls are really suffering, and we’re just trying to get through it. It’s a tough time.”
Eric Dane’s ALS Diagnosis
The 52-year-old actor announced his ALS diagnosis in April 2025, asking for privacy as he and his family processed the life-changing news. In June, he spoke with Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America, candidly admitting:
“I wake up every day, and I’m immediately reminded that this is happening. It’s not a dream.”
A Marriage Tested, A Family United
Dane and Gayheart married in 2004 and, despite filing for divorce in 2018, later called off the split. Today, the couple is closer than ever, even though Gayheart admitted it’s been painful.
“Eric will always be my family, whether we’re married or not. This has brought us together, but we don’t like the reason why,” she explained. “It’s a horrible disease, and I wish there was a cure. I hope they find one soon, because it is just so sad.”
Fighting for a Cure
Earlier this month, Dane partnered with the nonprofit I AM ALS to help raise $1 billion over three years in the “Push for Progress” campaign.
“I’m Eric, an actor, a father, and now a person living with ALS,” Dane said in a video. “For over a century, ALS has been incurable. We need the fastest path to a cure. Together, we’ll renew the landmark Act for ALS, give promising treatments to thousands of patients like me, and finally push towards ending this disease.”
The Act for ALS, signed into law in 2021, is set to expire in 2026 unless renewed. The law provides critical funding for treatment access and research into finding a cure.
Rebecca Gayheart: Supporting Women While Supporting Her Family
While navigating her husband’s health struggles, Gayheart continues her philanthropic work. At the Step Up Inspiration Awards, she highlighted the importance of mentorship for young women.
“As a female, it’s so important to have a village and a community to hold you up,” she said. “I didn’t have that growing up in Kentucky. I went after it all on my own. These programs help girls connect, find mentors, and chase their dreams.”
A Family Moving Forward With Hope
Though the pain is undeniable, Gayheart insists their family remains focused on love, dignity, and hope. Her words paint a picture of strength during unimaginable difficulty, and her message echoes what so many ALS families face: a fight for time, support, and ultimately, a cure.
