Overview
- Gayheart shared an Instagram Stories image of a plaque reading “In Loving Memory of Eric William Dane. 1972–2026,” surrounded by personal mementos and set to Lana Del Rey’s “Say Yes to Heaven.”
- Eric Dane died on February 19, 2026 at age 53 after ALS, a progressive disease that damages nerve cells needed for movement.
- Dane’s family said he spent his final days with his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, and their daughters, Billie and Georgia, and asked for privacy as they grieved.
- He disclosed his ALS diagnosis in April 2025 to People and was described by his family as an advocate for awareness and research.
- Gayheart has continued to mourn publicly, including messages thanking supporters, in a way that keeps attention on ALS and her family’s remembrance of Dane.