Actor Eric Dane, known for his role in Grey’s Anatomy, was seen in a wheelchair while meeting with his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, despite recently being diagnosed with ALS. The two are currently separated.
As a lifestyle observer, I have to say I recently saw some photos and video that sparked concern. The beloved actor, 52, looked quite frail leaving a sushi restaurant in Hollywood with his 54-year-old ‘Urban Legend’ co-star. One of their daughters was with them, bringing up the rear, and it was clear something might be going on. It’s always a little unsettling to see someone you admire looking less than their best.
It was unclear if the girl was Billie, 15, or Georgia, 13.
In the video, Eric is seen being wheeled along a walkway upstairs, with Rebecca and their daughter nearby. Friends say the family is focused on creating happy memories for Eric as he deals with health challenges, and they barely spoke during the moment to savor it.
According to a source who spoke with Daily Mail, Rebecca and her children are trying to maintain a sense of normalcy in their relationship with their father, Eric.
They’re trying to create happy memories and enjoy time together while he’s feeling well and can still participate in activities.
Someone close to the family mentioned that going to dinner is a regular activity they enjoy, and they would still do it even if Eric wasn’t ill.
After calling off her divorce in March 2025, Gayheart and her two children are looking forward to continuing their usual activities soon.
It’s understandably a very emotional time, but everyone involved knows they need to keep living their lives and enjoying normal family activities. That small step helps make things a little bit better, according to a source.
This new sighting follows recent concerns about Dane’s health, sparked when he seemed to have difficulty speaking to a photographer at the Washington, DC airport. The photographer had asked what message he had for fans worried about him.
Dane replied softly, ‘Keep the faith, man.’
People close to the actor say he’s been thinking a lot about his own aging and eventual death.
According to a source, Eric is currently facing the difficult reality of his own mortality, something most people avoid thinking about.
He’s aware of what’s coming and is focusing on making the most of his time. He wants to find joy, inspire others facing difficulties, and cherish moments with loved ones – truly live in the present.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, is a rare and currently incurable disease that impacts the nerves controlling muscles. It’s also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease and affects approximately 5,000 people in the United States annually.
Symptoms often progress rapidly and are difficult to detect in the early stages.
In early 2024, Dane began experiencing weakness in his right hand, initially thinking it was just from overuse, like texting too much or general tiredness.
He finally received an official diagnosis in April after undergoing months of tests and seeing several specialists.
By June, he had lost use of his right arm.
Most people with ALS live three to five years after diagnosis, but Dane’s health has worsened much faster and he is experiencing significant pain.
Still, those close to him say he’s determined to remain brave in the face of fear.
Many people assume things will always be okay, and fear often prevents them from taking action,” the source explained.
As a teenager growing up in the Bay Area, Dane was known for his athleticism as much as his charm.
He was a talented water polo player at San Mateo High School, but he switched schools to find a team with stronger competition. In a recent interview with Dax Shepard on the Armchair Expert podcast, he said, ‘I wasn’t the best, but I was really good.’
This year, a family snorkeling trip became scary when Dane discovered he was physically unable to continue.
He was swimming near the boat with his daughters, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13, when he unexpectedly started to struggle in the water.
I’ll never forget hearing him describe that moment to Diane Sawyer. He said when he jumped in the ocean and quickly realized he couldn’t swim well enough to get back to the boat, his first thought was, ‘Oh, God.’ He explained that right then, it hit him – he was completely unsafe, and the ocean was no longer a place where he felt secure.
He was scared and fighting to stay above water when Georgia saw he needed help and rescued him.
I was on the verge of tears, but I insisted she rejoin her friend and continue snorkeling with the guide,” Dane explained. “I was just devastated.
Throughout everything, his ex-wife and close friend, actress Rebecca Gayheart from Beverly Hills, 90210, has been a constant and reliable source of support for him.
Their story started in 2003. Actress Joely Fisher, recently out of a relationship with producer Brett Ratner and known for her role on Nip/Tuck, met actor David Spade, who was building his career after appearing in shows like Saved by the Bell, The Wonder Years, and Roseanne.
They tied the knot in Las Vegas just ten months later, in 2004.
Their marriage faced several challenges, most notably a scandal in 2009 when a private video of the couple with model Kari Ann Peniche became public.
The video showed Dane and Gayheart with another person relaxing and partying in a hot tub, but it didn’t contain any sexual content. They sued Gawker for publishing the video and eventually reached a private settlement in 2010.
Even with ongoing challenges, they continued their life together and welcomed their daughters, Billie in 2010 and Georgia in 2011.
However, despite his public image, the actor was secretly struggling with addiction. He started using marijuana in his teens and first achieved sobriety at the age of 26.
Oh, it broke my heart watching him during his Grey’s Anatomy days. The fame just became too much, and then, during that awful Writer’s Guild strike in 2007, he… he struggled again. It was like everything just came crashing down around him, and honestly, it was devastating to watch him go through that.
In 2011, he sought treatment for painkiller addiction. He later confessed that during his eight years on Grey’s Anatomy, he struggled with substance abuse more than he was sober, and this period marked the beginning of his difficulties.
Dane explained that he accepted Shonda Rhimes’ decision to release him, saying he had changed since he was originally cast and understood why it happened.
He regained prominence with a leading role in The Last Ship, but later paused his career in 2017 to focus on his mental health and receive treatment for depression.
By 2018, his 14-year marriage to Gayheart had ended, and she filed for divorce.
It’s so sad to hear they’re divorcing, but they’ve announced it together and said it’s what’s best for everyone involved, especially their kids. They’ve promised to still be really involved in each other’s lives as parents, which is good to see – it sounds like they’re committed to co-parenting well, even though their romantic relationship is ending.
They stayed true to their word, continuing to raise their daughters together in Los Angeles.
A year after their separation, Gayheart shared that she and her family are adjusting to a ‘new normal.’ While it’s been challenging, she’s optimistic about the future and happy that her children are doing well.
After Dane was diagnosed with ALS, Gayheart is said to have stopped pursuing the divorce and decided to support him instead.
She told E! News that they’ve remained close friends and excellent co-parents, even after their split. They’ve found a way to successfully maintain a family dynamic, which she believes is a positive experience for both their children and themselves.
She explained that she doesn’t see the end of her relationship as a failure, but rather a success. She feels they achieved something wonderful by having two children together, and that’s what truly matters.
According to a source, the pair’s renewed bond has been transformative.
According to a source, Rebecca chose to let go of any anger or resentment after Eric received his diagnosis. This has allowed them to build a strong, friendly co-parenting relationship, which is exactly what Eric needs at this time.
She fully supports him, and they both share the same priority: providing the best possible life for their children.
Even as his health has declined, Dane has refused to let ALS define him.
Only a few days after revealing his diagnosis, he was back at work filming the third season of Euphoria, and this time he shared screen time with his friend Sharon Stone.
Stone shared with Entertainment Tonight that he and Eric have been friends for years. He even helped Eric prepare for his audition for Euphoria, as Eric was really eager to land the role.
Despite his limitations, Dane remains committed to his craft.
Oh my gosh, he said he’ll do practically anything! It’s amazing! He totally gets that there are some parts he just won’t be right for, which is so self-aware. And get this – he’s working on Euphoria right now! He just finished Countdown, too! He basically said he’s up for anything, that he’s totally capable! I’m just… obsessed. He’s so talented!
Even though Dane seems to be doing worse lately, he’s determined to keep fighting.
‘I still have hope,’ he said to Sawyer. ‘I believe I have more to offer, and deep down, I don’t feel like my life is over.’
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2025-10-31 23:21