Eric Dane’s widow Rebecca Gayheart proudly posed with their daughters Billie, 16, and Georgia, 14, at the opening of her new musical in Los Angeles.
Dane, who rose to fame on Grey’s Anatomy as Dr. Mark Sloan, also known as “McSteamy,” died on February 19 at the age of 53 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), about a year after announcing he had been diagnosed with the disease.
Over time, the rare, incurable degenerative condition affects the nervous system and causes the muscles to become increasingly paralyzed.
Although Dane split from Gayheart in 2017, they remained amicable co-parents and never finalized the divorce, which they called off just before he revealed he had ALS, colloquially known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Gayheart, 55, remained a loyal source of support for him amid his latest decline, even as they both continued to date other people.
Now, seven months after his death, she brought their children to the Hudson Theater in Hollywood for the opening night of her show Jawbreaker: The Musical.
The Daily Mail has contacted a representative for Gayheart for comment.
Eric Dane’s widow Rebecca Gayheart proudly posed with their daughters Billie, 16, and Georgia, 14, at the Los Angeles opening of her new show Jawbreaker: The Musical
Dane, who rose to fame on Grey’s Anatomy as Dr. Mark Sloan, also known as ‘McSteamy’, died on February 19 at the age of 53 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Gayheart starred in the original 1999 film Jawbreaker, a dark teen comedy that also starred Rose McGowan, Judy Greer, Pam Grier and Marilyn Manson.
Although she played popular high school girl Jules in the film, Gayheart has switched roles for the show, stepping into the role of assistant principal Sherwood, who was originated on screen by Carol Kane.
The new adaptation features a book by the film’s writer and director Darren Stein and choreography by RuPaul’s Drag Race alumnus Laganja Estranja.
Jawbreaker: The Musical premiered at the Hudson Theater on September 4 for a limited workshop ending on September 20.
Gayheart and her daughters made their first public appearance since Dane’s death, nearly a month after it occurred, attending the premiere of the film The Drama, which co-starred Dane’s Euphoria co-star Zendaya with Robert Pattinson.
Dane and Gayheart married in 2004, two years before he landed his fan-favorite role as the womanizing “McSteamy” on Grey’s Anatomy.
They stayed together through the scandal that erupted five years after their wedding when a home video of them romping naked with an ex-beauty queen was leaked.
Gayheart stood by Dane through several personal issues, including his 2011 rehab stay to wean himself off the pain medications he had started taking due to an injury.
He had secretly recorded a final message for his daughters’ posthumously released message in a Netflix special entitled Famous Last Words: Eric Dane
To care for his daughters after his death, Dane’s friends set up a GoFundMe that quickly surpassed the original goal of $250,000.
Six years later, in 2017, Dane entered treatment for depression, which resulted in a break from filming his action drama series The Last Ship.
The following year, Gayheart filed for divorce on the grounds of irreconcilable differences, and the couple agreed to joint custody of their daughters, with Dane paying alimony.
Gayheart, who did little trading after having children, noted a few months after filing for divorce that she wanted to return to work.
“I think that as a woman you should always be able to take care of yourself and never be dependent on a man,” she said We weekly. “I’m going back to work and I think part of that is because I want my daughters to see me work.”
She explained that she and Eric were “doing our best” to raise their children together, admitting, “It’s not easy.” But we are trying and we are committed.”
The couple never finalized the divorce, which they threw out entirely in the weeks before Dane announced he was suffering from ALS.
To care for his daughters after his death, Dane’s friends set up a GoFundMe that quickly surpassed the original goal of $250,000.
A source revealed that Johnny Depp had tried to ‘ease the financial burden’ by letting Dane stay at one of his homes during his ALS battle.
Gayheart (right) starred in the original 1999 film Jawbreaker, a dark teen comedy that also starred Rose McGowan (center) and Buffy the Vampire Slayer actress Julie Benz (left)
“He lived virtually rent-free in one of the houses Johnny owns above the Sunset Strip. “He told Eric to pay what he could or couldn’t afford for rent,” the source said Page sixadding that it gave Dane “one less thing to worry about.”
Dane had deteriorated sharply after his diagnosis. He used a wheelchair, lost the use of his right arm and withdrew from a public appearance the month before he died, citing the “physical reality” his illness had forced him to face.
Nevertheless, Dane, who played the father of Jacob Elordi’s character in Euphoria, did not insist that he would continue acting until December 2025.
He had secretly recorded a final message for his daughters that would be released posthumously in a Netflix special entitled Famous Last Words: Eric Dane.
“Billie and Georgia, these words are for you: I tried. I stumbled sometimes, but I tried,” he said, speaking directly into the camera. “Overall, we had a blast, didn’t we?”
Dane then shared the four lessons he learned over the course of his life that he wanted to pass on to his daughters before he died.
‘First live now, now in the present. It’s hard, but I learned that,” he said. ‘For years I wandered mentally, lost in my mind for long periods of time, wallowing in worry and self-pity, shame and doubt. I repeated decisions and doubted myself. ‘I shouldn’t have done this. I should never have done that.’
But he ultimately declared, “No more,” a change in mindset he characterized as a decision he made “out of sheer survival.”
Dane and Gayheart married in 2004, two years before he landed his fan-favorite role as the womanizer “McSteamy” on Grey’s Anatomy
He added, “Second, fall in love. Not necessarily with a person, although I recommend that too. But fall in love with something,” Dane said.
He explained that he discovered acting around his daughters’ age, saying, “Find your passion, your joy. Find the thing that makes you want to get up in the morning.”
His third statement was: ‘choose your friends wisely’, ‘find your people and let them find you and then give yourself to them’ as ‘the best of them will give back’. No judgement. No conditions. No questions asked.’
He shared his gratitude for the friends who “sprung into action” when he became ill and urged his daughters to “Just show up.” And love your friends with everything you have. Hold them. They will entertain you, guide you, support you and some will save you.”
His fourth and final exhortation was to “fight with every ounce of your being and with dignity.” When you face challenges, health or otherwise, fight.”
Dane told Billie and Georgia, “Never give up. Fight until your last breath. This disease slowly takes over my body, but never my mind. So when something unexpected happens to you, and it will, because that is life, fight it and face it with honesty, integrity and grace, even if it feels or seems insurmountable.”
The San Francisco-born actor’s voice broke as he reflected, “I hope I showed you can do anything.” You can face the end of your days. You can face hell with dignity. Fight girls, and hold your head high.”
He concluded by saying, “Billie and Georgia, you are my heart. You are my everything. Good night. I love you. Those are my last words.’
