Eric Dane’s grieving wife, Rebecca Gayheart, seen for first time since actor’s ALS death
Eric Dane’s grieving wife, Rebecca Gayheart, seen for first time since actor’s ALS death
Audrey RockSun, February 22, 2026 at 3:05 AM UTC
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Eric Dane’s grieving wife, Rebecca Gayheart, seen for first time since actor’s ALS death
Rebecca Gayheart has emerged for the first time since husband Eric Dane’s death.
The actress was pictured wrapped in a beige trench coat while leaving the Los Angeles home the “Grey’s Anatomy” star had been living in prior to his death on Thursday.
Gayheart also wore a pair of glasses, pulling her hair into an updo during the somber outing. She carried a black leather handbag while exiting the property on Friday.
The “Euphoria” actor died on Thursday at the age of 53, following a battle with ALS.
Rebecca Gayheart was pictured in Los Angeles for the first time since husband Eric Dane’s death. Javiles/Bruce / BACKGRID
The actress wore a beige trench coat while leaving the home Dane was staying in prior to his death. BACKGRID
“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” a family statement to People read.
“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.”
The statement continued in part, “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. He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always,”
The “Brilliant Minds” actor divulged his diagnosis with the devastating condition in April 2025 — just weeks after he and Gayheart, 54, called off their divorce.
The model carried a black handbag and wore glasses. Javiles/Bruce / BACKGRID
Dane died on Thursday following a battle with ALS. BACKGRID
He told People at the time that he was “grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.”
The longtime couple tied the knot in 2004 and welcomed daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14, before Gayheart filed for divorce in 2018.
Gayheart called off the divorce amid Dane’s ALS diagnosis last year, later detailing her “super complicated” role in Dane’s life — and explaining that she was committed to “show[ing] up” for Dane and being a “role model” for their teen daughters.
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“[I tell them], ‘No matter what, he is our family and he is your father,’” she said during an appearance on the “Broad Ideas” podcast in November 2025.
Dane revealed his diagnosis in April 2025. He’s seen here in Washington, DC, in June 2025. AFP via Getty Images
He told People at the time that he was “grateful to have” the support of his family. He’s seen here with Gayheart at the AFI Life Achievement Award Gala in 2015. Getty Images for AFI
Gayheart explained that she wanted “to make sure I provide them with the opportunity to spend time with him, so they don’t ever look back [and wish they did more].”
The actress — who was romantically linked to Peter Morton prior to Dane’s death — was seen out with her husband last year for a family outing amid his health battle.
Dane, meanwhile, dated Janell Shirtcliff as the family navigated the debilitating reality of ALS.
The actor blamed himself for his split from Gayheart during a pre-recorded interview on Netflix’s “Famous Last Words: Eric Dane.”
Gayheart and Dane married in 2004 and split in 2018. They’re seen here in Hollywood in 2004. WireImage
The model called off their divorce amid Dane’s diagnosis last year. They’re seen here with their daughters at Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival at Madison Square Garden in 2013. Michael Loccisano
“I think Rebecca was more willing to show up and do her part than I was,” he told Brad Falchuk in the footage, which was released following his death.
“I don’t have that gene that just makes you wanna keep going regardless of what happens,” he continued. “I’m like, ‘If there’s a hole in the boat, don’t try to patch the hole. Scuttle the damn thing and find a new one.”
Dane also called his model wife a “fighter.”
Dane blamed himself for his split from Gayheart in comments prior to his death. They’re seen here at the “Dreamgirls” premiere in 2006. FilmMagic
Gayheart remembered her husband with a series of family photos via Instagram on Saturday. They’re seen here with daughter Billie. Rebecca Gayheart/Instagram
“We still love each other deeply,” he said. “I just think we don’t wanna live with each other. But there’s a lot of love there.”
On Saturday, Gayheart took to Instagram Stories to share a series of intimate photos from their lives together with their daughters.
She also re-shared a link to a fundraiser set up by friends in the hours following Dane’s passing. Gayheart wrote atop the upload, “Thank you,” alongside broken and wounded heart emojis.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
