Before his passing, Johnny Depp allowed Eric Dane to stay in one of his Los Angeles homes without paying rent, hoping to help him through a difficult financial time.
The actor, known for his role on Grey’s Anatomy, died on Thursday at 53, just ten months after revealing he had ALS.
As a lifestyle expert, I’ve always said location is key, and Dane was definitely living in a prime spot! He was renting one of Johnny Depp’s properties, a cozy place nestled right above the Sunset Strip. Johnny actually owns both houses next to each other, but Dane had the smaller of the two.
In his last months, the actor prioritized his well-being and time with loved ones, finding peace and quiet in his neighborhood.
Dane met the Pirates Of The Caribbean star through mutual friends years ago.
According to a source, Johnny Depp wanted to support Dane so he wouldn’t have to stress about finances while dealing with his illness.
‘Eric [had] one less thing to worry about,’ the source said.
He was essentially living for free in a house owned by Johnny, located near the Sunset Strip. He instructed Eric to pay what he was able towards the rent, or whatever amount he could manage.
According to a source who spoke to the New York Post’s Page Six, Johnny Depp was trying to help lessen the financial strain on someone.
The Daily Mail has contacted Depp’s representative for comment.
The actor passed away on Thursday, only months after publicly sharing his diagnosis of ALS, a disease also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
Eric Dane died on Thursday afternoon after fighting ALS, his family announced to People magazine. They expressed their deep sadness over his passing.
He passed away peacefully, surrounded by the people he loved most: his wife, close friends, and his daughters, Billie and Georgia, who meant everything to him, they shared.
Even as he lived with ALS, Eric dedicated himself to raising awareness and funding research, hoping to improve the lives of others battling the disease.
Everyone who knew Eric is heartbroken by his loss, but he will always be remembered with love. He truly cherished his fans and was incredibly thankful for all their support.
The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time,’ their statement concluded.
In a recent interview, Dane spoke about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS – the devastating disease that led to his death at age 53 on Thursday – calling it ‘something so horrible’.
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Even while facing hardship, Dane remained positive and publicly participated in a virtual panel for I AM ALS and Synapticure on Giving Tuesday in December 2025.
He discussed his appearance on the show Brilliant Minds last month, where he played Matthew, a firefighter and 9/11 hero. The character struggled with telling his family about his diagnosis with ALS.
Dane expressed his gratitude for the role, where he starred alongside Madchen Amick as her husband, explaining that portraying someone with ALS was a deeply emotional and healing experience for him.
Dane noted it was ‘very encouraging’ that he’d stayed positive despite such a terrible situation.
Two months ago, he described feeling deeply unhappy, saying he wouldn’t blame himself if he just stayed in bed for two weeks and cried. He felt there was no reason for him to be cheerful.
Dane was surprised to find he didn’t have the characteristics he expected, admitting he’d fully anticipated he would.
Dane viewed this work as part of his ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the condition, something he continued to do even as his health declined, with the goal of encouraging more research and finding a cure.
He focuses on educating people about ALS – what the disease is, and, crucially, how we can fight it and make things better for those affected.
It’s a difficult process, full of obstacles and red tape, but we’re working through it all to finally begin developing solutions.
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 received a formal diagnosis in April after a long period of tests and appointments with various doctors. Just two months later, in June, he lost the ability to use his right arm.
Most people with ALS live three to five years after diagnosis, but Dane’s condition has worsened much faster and with a lot of suffering.
I’ve always been amazed by Brian’s resilience, and through everything, Rebecca Gayheart – his ex-wife and someone who’s clearly been a huge part of his life for a long time – has been an incredible rock for him. She’s consistently been one of his biggest supporters, and it’s really heartwarming to see.
In 2003, actress Joely Fisher met actor Patrick Dane. Fisher had recently ended a long relationship with producer Brett Ratner and was gaining recognition for her role on the TV show Nip/Tuck. Dane, meanwhile, was building his acting career with smaller parts in shows like Saved by the Bell, The Wonder Years, and Roseanne.
They had two daughters, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13.
By 2018, his 14-year marriage to Gayheart had ended, and she filed for divorce.
After Dane was diagnosed with ALS, Gayheart is said to have stopped pursuing the divorce and decided to stay with him as his partner.
You know, when a relationship evolves, it’s all about finding a new normal. With my ex, we’ve really done that. We’re not just co-parents, we’re genuinely good friends – incredibly close, actually. We’ve discovered what works for us to stay a family unit, and honestly, I think it’s making a huge difference for our kids, and for us as parents too. It’s been a really positive transition.
On Thursday, The ALS Network honored Dane, noting that his bravery while living with ALS motivated countless people.
Following his public announcement about his diagnosis, Eric dedicated himself to raising awareness, fighting the stigma surrounding the condition, and advocating for more research into treatments and a cure, according to a statement posted on Instagram.
We were thrilled to work with him and recognize his incredible contributions by naming him our 2025 Advocate of the Year. He brought strength, integrity, and heartfelt empathy to raising awareness about the daily challenges faced by families living with ALS.
The ALS Network is deeply saddened by his passing and sends its sympathy to his family and friends, as well as everyone who benefited from his tireless work. He made a lasting difference in the lives of those affected by ALS and will be greatly missed.
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2026-02-21 00:35