Inside Rebecca Gayheart’s Heartbreaking Return To Family Home After Eric Dane's Death

Rebecca Gayheart makes first public appearance since Eric Dane’s death as a fundraiser launches for their daughters.

Rebecca Gayheart has been forced to confront unimaginable grief. Just days after Eric Dane’s death at 53, the actress was seen returning to the Los Angeles home where he had been living. 

The quiet visit marked her first public appearance since his passing. As new details emerge about his ALS battle, a fundraiser for their daughters, and the emotional final message he recorded before his death, Gayheart is navigating loss in the most personal way possible.

Eric Dane’s Widow Rebecca Gayheart Returns To His Los Angeles Home

Gayheart was photographed looking somber as she visited the Los Angeles property where Eric Dane had been staying at the time of his death. 

Wearing a beige trench coat and dark glasses, the 54-year-old actress appeared subdued while leaving the home.

Her visit came shortly after it was revealed that Dane’s friends had created a GoFundMe to support his and Gayheart’s teenage daughters, Billie Beatrice and Georgia Geraldine. 

The sighting marked a heartbreaking moment for Gayheart, who had reportedly been left devastated after watching Dane decline rapidly.

Dane’s death was announced Thursday, less than a year after he shared that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. His passing has left family, friends, and fans reeling.

Dane’s ALS Diagnosis And His Advocacy Efforts

Friends described Eric Dane’s fight as courageous and deeply personal. 

The GoFundMe page shared a heartfelt message, “It is with profound sadness that we share the loss of Eric Dane after a hard-fought battle with ALS, leaving behind his devoted wife, Rebecca, and his two teenage daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world.”

The message also highlighted how the “Greys Anatomy” star used his platform after his diagnosis. 

It read, “Following his diagnosis, Eric became a passionate spokesperson for the ALS community, using his voice and platform to advocate for fellow patients and to push for greater awareness.”

As his health worsened, those closest to him stepped in. The message continued, “As his illness progressed far more quickly than anyone could have imagined, Eric’s friends have come together to create this GoFundMe to support his girls and their future needs.”

The fundraiser, which had raised $7,705 toward a $250,000 goal by Friday afternoon, added that any contribution will be appreciated no matter the size. 

According to the fundraiser, It would help provide stability now and in the future for Dane’s daughters. 

Eric Dane’s Final Netflix Interview And Message To His Daughters

In the months before his death, Dane recorded a deeply personal interview that would only be released after he was gone. 

The 50-minute documentary, “Famous Last Words: Eric Dane,” was filmed in secret and later added to Netflix’s library.

During the conversation with Brad Falchuk, Dane turned his focus to Billie and Georgia. He said, “Billie and Georgia, these words are for you. I tried. I stumbled sometimes, but I tried.” 

Dane added, “Overall, we had a blast, didn’t we?” He then shared four lessons shaped by his experience with ALS. “First, live now, right now in the present. It’s hard, but I learned to do that,” he said, reflecting on how he once replayed decisions and doubts.

“Second, fall in love. Not necessarily with a person, although I do recommend that as well. But fall in love with something,” he said. “Find your passion, your joy. Find the thing that makes you wanna get up in the morning.”

Dane’s Advice On Friendship And Fighting With Dignity

Continuing his message, Eric Dane urged his daughters to surround themselves with the right people. 

He encouraged them to choose their friends wisely, find their people and allow their people to find them. 

“The best of them will give back to you. No judgement. No conditions. No questions asked,” he continued. 

The doting dad expressed gratitude for those who supported him, encouraging his daughters to show up and love their friends with everything they’ve got.

Dane also encouraged his daughters to hang out with their friends as some will entertain, guide, support, and even save them. 

His final lesson centered on resilience. “Never give up. Fight until your last breath. This disease is slowly taking my body, but it will never take my spirit.”

Dane added, “So when something unexpected hits you, and it will, because that’s life, fight and face it with honesty, integrity and grace, even if it feels or seems insurmountable.” 

With emotion, he concluded, “Billie and Georgia, you are my heart. You are my everything. Good night. I love you. Those are my last words.”

Eric Dane And Gayheart’s Marriage And Family Life

Dane and Gayheart met in 2003 and married in Las Vegas less than a year later. 

Although they separated in 2018, they called off their split in 2025 and remained married until his death.

In November 2025, Gayheart appeared on "Broad Ideas" podcast and spoke candidly about helping their daughters process Dane’s diagnosis. 

“He is our family. He is your father,” she said. “We show up, and we try to do it with some dignity and some grace and just get through it.”

She acknowledged their history was super complicated, explaining that they had been separated for eight years and their kids lived with her 100 percent of the time. 

Still, she focused on being present. “I’m trying to learn from it and [be a] role model for them [for] how to go through something like this, which is really hard,” Gayheart said. “I’m just showing up. I’m showing up, and I’m trying to be there for them. I guess time will tell.”