Rebecca Gayheart, who has been separated from Eric Dane for eight years, recently discussed their very difficult relationship and shared where they are raising their two daughters, all while coping with his diagnosis of ALS.
The 54-year-old actress, who married Dane in 2004 and recently paused her divorce proceedings from 2018, spoke on the Broad Ideas podcast about helping her children, 15-year-old Billie and 13-year-old Georgia, cope with a difficult time.
Gayheart has been teaching her daughters the importance of supporting others, especially as their father’s illness gets worse.
After Dane shared his diagnosis in April, she told his children, ‘He’s family, he’s your father.’ She explained that they would support him and face the challenges ahead with strength and composure, just taking things one day at a time.
Still, she acknowledged her relationship with Dane is ‘super complicated.’
We’ve been apart for eight years, and I have full custody of the children. There have been various difficulties, but I try to remain hopeful about the situation.
I’m hoping to learn from this experience and show my children how to cope with difficult times, because it’s been really challenging.
I’m not sure if I’m handling things effectively, or even if I’m approaching it correctly. I’m just doing my best to be present and support them, and I suppose we’ll see how it goes over time.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), often called Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a rare and currently incurable condition that impacts the nerves controlling muscles. It affects about 5,000 people in the United States annually.
Symptoms often progress rapidly and can be difficult to detect early on.
In early 2024, Dane began experiencing weakness in his right hand, initially believing it was simply from overuse or tiredness, like he’d been texting too much.
After months of tests and consultations with various doctors, a diagnosis of ALS was confirmed in April, bringing devastating news.
By June, he had lost use of his right arm.
On Monday’s podcast, Gayheart shared that she reassures her daughters they’ll face challenges together as a family and handle things as best they can.
‘They’re good girls who are just going through a lot,’ she added.
It’s been a difficult journey, she admitted.
“I’m definitely growing and learning as a person, and it’s a really humbling experience,” Gayheart said.
I really want my kids to learn that it’s important to support others and be there for them, but equally important to take care of themselves too.
Honestly, everything she says just hits different. She’s so right, you know? Life is just… a bunch of moments, good ones and bad ones all mixed up. It’s kinda sad when you think about it, but she makes it sound… beautiful. And she’s totally right about not knowing what’s coming! It makes you realize you need to cherish today, because this isn’t some practice run – this is it! It’s like, every day is precious because of that. I just… I hang on every word.
Gayheart wants her daughters to have a relationship with their father, Dane, so they won’t regret not getting to know him when they’re older.
In 2003, actress Claudia Gayheart, recently out of a relationship with producer Brett Ratner and known for her role on the show Nip/Tuck, met actor Jason Dane. Dane was building his career with smaller parts in popular 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, notably a scandal in 2009 when a private video of the couple with model Kari Ann Peniche became public.
Though it didn’t depict sex, the trio was seen partying and lounging together in a hot tub.
Dane and Gayheart sued Gawker, later settling out of court in 2010.
Even with some public disagreement, the couple continued their life together and welcomed two daughters: Billie, born in 2010, and Georgia, born in 2011.
Behind the scenes, Dane quietly battled addiction.
He began using marijuana in his teens and achieved sobriety at age 26. However, the stress of becoming famous during his time on Grey’s Anatomy, combined with the 2007 Writer’s Guild strike, led to a relapse.
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 for a greater part of that time, and this is when his personal problems began to escalate.
By 2018, his 14-year marriage to Gayheart had ended, and she filed for divorce.
They announced their separation in a joint statement, saying it was the best choice for their family and that they plan to continue working together as parents.
A year after their separation, Gayheart shared that her family is adjusting to a new way of life. While it’s been challenging, she’s optimistic about the future, especially because her children are doing well and are happy and healthy.
After Dane was diagnosed with ALS, Gayheart is said to have stopped pursuing the divorce and decided to stay with him as his partner.
She described them as incredibly close friends and fantastic co-parents. They had found a way to remain a family, and she believed both they and their children were thriving as a result.
She explained that she doesn’t see the end of her relationship as a failure, but rather a success. They shared two wonderful children together, and she considers that a very positive outcome.
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2025-11-17 22:34