Eric Dane's ALS Diagnosis: A Heartbreaking Phone Call to Ex-Wife Rebecca Gayheart Detailed in Posthumous Memoir

Actor Eric Dane revealed his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis to his estranged wife, Rebecca Gayheart, in a phone call that he described as "devastating" in his posthumous memoir, "My Book of Days."

Dane, who died in February at age 56, recounted the call, which took place in 2024, to Gayheart, stating, "It’s what we feared." He recalled feeling a "violent impact, like getting the wind knocked out of me," and did not remember anything he said immediately after delivering the news. Gayheart, in turn, was heard "wailing" on the other end of the line, while Dane experienced "body-shuddering" sobs.

Despite their separation and divorce proceedings, Gayheart offered words of support, telling Dane, "I’m here, we’ll fight this together, I’m not going anywhere." She later described Dane's words as a "punch to the gut" that "took [her] breath away," recalling that she went into her closet and closed the door after the conversation.

Dane and Gayheart were married for 14 years and filed for divorce in 2018 but never finalized the papers. They remained close, co-parenting their two daughters, Billie, 16, and Georgia, 14, and continued to spend time together, even vacationing as a family and speaking daily.

They had called off their divorce shortly before Dane publicly announced his ALS diagnosis in April 2025. Although they dated other people, Gayheart remained a steadfast supporter of Dane until his death.

Dane referred to Gayheart as his "best friend," noting her frequent visits, day and night, whenever he needed to talk, scream, or cry. Gayheart told People that if she could speak to Dane now, she would assure him she would "look after [our] girls and protect them with everything in [her] body and soul."

"My Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments" is set to be published on November 3.