Rebecca Gayheart shared a heartfelt tribute to her late husband, Eric Dane, on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
The actress posted a series of photos on social media featuring Dane alongside their two daughters, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13.
The images highlight private family moments, showing the actor smiling with his children in various settings, including snowy landscapes and quiet mornings at home.
Rebecca Gayheart’s tribute focuses on his role as a devoted father and their shared history, despite their past legal separation.
The tribute follows Dane’s death on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the age of 53.
The actor passed away after a nearly year-long battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Before his passing, Dane filmed a Netflix special titled Famous Last Words, which premiered recently.
In the special, he delivered a poignant message to his daughters and expressed his enduring love for Rebecca Gayheart, stating that he never loved another woman as deeply as he loved her.
Although the couple separated in 2018 and Gayheart initially filed for divorce, she officially dismissed the petition in early 2025.
Following Dane’s ALS diagnosis in April 2025, Gayheart moved her daughters closer to his home to ensure they could spend as much time together as possible.
She previously spoke on the Broad Ideas podcast about her decision to call off the divorce, noting that she wanted to model for her children the importance of showing up for family during difficult times.
Friends and colleagues describe Rebecca Gayheart as a pillar of support for Dane during his final months. The family’s statement confirmed that he died peacefully surrounded by his "devoted wife" and children.
In addition to Gayheart’s post, Dane’s girlfriend, Janell Shirtcliff, also shared a tribute in his honor on Saturday.
As the entertainment world mourns the loss of the actor known famously as "McSteamy" from Grey’s Anatomy, his family continues to celebrate his legacy as a passionate advocate for ALS research and a committed father.