Late actor Eric Dane left behind a deeply personal farewell for his two teenage daughters in a final interview recorded months before his death.
The Euphoria and Grey’s Anatomy star died on Thursday, Feb. 19, at age 53, less than a year after publicly sharing that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Prior to his passing, Dane quietly filmed what would become his last interview for Netflix’s upcoming series Famous Last Words. The interview was conducted privately and released only after his death.
In the 50-minute conversation, Dane reflected on his life and career. Toward the end, after he was left alone with the camera, he addressed his daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14, whom he shared with his ex-wife Rebecca Gayheart.
“Billie and Georgia, these words are for you,” Dane said. “I tried. I stumbled sometimes, but I tried. Overall, we had a blast, didn’t we?”
The actor went on to reminisce about time spent with his daughters at the beach, recalling memories that would stay with him forever.
“Those days, pun intended, pun intended were heaven,” he said.
Four Final Lessons for His Daughters
Dane shared four guiding principles he said his illness had taught him and asked his daughters to carry forward.
“First, live now, right now in the present. It’s hard, but I learned to do that,” Dane said. “For years, I would wander off mentally, lost in my head for long chunks of time, wallowing in worry and self-pity, shame and doubt. I replayed decisions, second-guessed myself. ‘I shouldn’t have done this. I never should’ve done that.’ No more.”
He explained that living with ALS forced him to focus on the present moment.
“Second, fall in love. Not necessarily with a person, although I do recommend that as well. But fall in love with something,” Dane said. “Find your passion, your joy. Find the thing that makes you wanna get up in the morning.”
The actor shared that he fell in love with acting around the same age his daughters are now, and encouraged them to pursue what brings them purpose.
“Third, choose your friends wisely. Find your people and allow them to find you, and then give yourselves to them,” he told them. “The best of them will give back to you. No judgement. No conditions. No questions asked.”
Dane expressed gratitude for the friends who supported him throughout his illness, noting that while he could no longer do many of the things he once enjoyed like going to the gym, driving around town, or grabbing coffee, he valued those who simply showed up.
“Just show up. And love your friends with everything you have. Hang on to them. They will entertain you, guide you support you and some will save you,” he said.
Finally, he urged his daughters to fight through life’s hardships.
“Finally, fight with every ounce of your being and with dignity. When you face challenges, health or otherwise, fight,” Dane said. “Never give up. Fight until your last breath. This disease is slowly taking my body, but it will never take my spirit.”
Dane told Billie and Georgia that they had inherited his resilience.
“That’s my superpower,” he said. “I bounce right up, and I keep coming back. I get up again and again and again. Mark says I’m like a cat. Except a cat has nine lives, and I’m on number 15, easily. 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.”
Growing emotional, he concluded his message:
“I hope I’ve demonstrated that you can face anything. You can face the end of your days. You can face hell with dignity. Fight girls, and hold your heads high,” he said. “Billie and Georgia, you are my heart. You are my everything. Good night. I love you. Those are my last words.”
Family Statement After His Death
When Dane first disclosed his ALS diagnosis to PEOPLE, he said in a statement that he was “grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.”
Following his death, his family shared that he died “following a courageous battle with ALS” and that 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.”
“Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight,” the family said. “He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time.”
Source: People