Eric Dane's ALS diagnosis revealed in posthumous memoir

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 19:08 · Archive

Actor Eric Dane called his estranged wife Rebecca Gayheart immediately after learning he had ALS, according to his forthcoming memoir.

Eric Dane called his estranged wife Rebecca Gayheart immediately after learning he had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to his posthumous memoir 'My Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments', due out 3 November. Dane told Gayheart 'It's what we feared' and recalled feeling 'a violent impact, like getting the wind knocked out of me'. Gayheart told People she went into her closet and closed the door, calling the news 'a punch to the gut' that 'took my breath away'.

Gayheart and Dane had separated in 2018 and filed for divorce but never finalised the paperwork. They remained close whilst co-parenting their two daughters, Billie and Georgia, and vacationed together as a family. The couple called off their divorce days before Dane made his diagnosis public in April 2025. Gayheart told People that as the family faced Dane's final months, 'We tried to be present through all of our fear and frustration and uncertainty', and that witnessing 'his extraordinary strength' was 'wonderful for the girls and myself'.

Dane died on 19 February at 56. Gayheart recalled that telling their daughters about the diagnosis was a further challenge. 'They had so many questions, it still felt like it wasn't real,' she said.

How it is being reported

• Rebecca Gayheart watched Eric Dane fight for time with daughters during ‘heartbreaking’ final monthsRebecca Gayheart reveals the devastating moment she learned Eric Dane had ALS and how their two daughters navigated his final months together.Fox News · 23 Oct, 18:45
• Inside Eric Dane’s devastating phone call to ex Rebecca Gayheart revealing ALS diagnosisGayheart also recalled the "punch to the gut" conversation she had with her estranged husband about his health in an interview with People published Thursday.New York Post · 22 Oct, 16:53

In this story: Eric Dane · Rebecca Gayheart

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