Janell Shirtcliff Honors Eric Dane With Emotional Public Tribute After His Passing
Eric Dane and Janell Shirtcliff | Source: Getty Images
Gayheart, for her part, was equally clear about where she stood. “Eric knows that I am always going to want the best for him,” she said.
Whatever the state of their romantic lives, Gayheart made her position clear. She intended to show up for Dane through his illness and to show their daughters what that looked like.
Dane died on February 19, 2026, at 53. His family’s statement noted that he spent his final days surrounded by his devoted wife and their two daughters.
Inside the Statement from His Loved Ones
In a statement to People, Dane’s family said he died Thursday afternoon after battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which they described as courageous.
They added that throughout his illness, he became “a passionate advocate for awareness and research,” determined to help others confronting the same disease.
Eric Dane attends the Los Angeles premiere of “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” on May 30, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
The family also noted that he deeply appreciated the support from fans and asked for privacy as they continue to grieve.
The statement added, “He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world.”
Long before the family’s statement, Dane had shared his diagnosis with the world.
Eric Dane, Rebecca Gayheart, and family attend the Guy Oseary’s event in Malibu on July 4, 2013, in Malibu, California | Source: Getty Images
When He First Spoke About ALS
On April 10, 2025, Dane publicly shared his diagnosis for the first time. “I have been diagnosed with ALS,” he told People exclusively. “I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.”
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
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