Eric Dane looked healthy and happy during his final red carpet appearance with his girlfriend Janell Shirtcliff on June 18 – just eight months before his passing at age 53.
The ailing father-of-two beamed at the 42-year-old photographer, whom he’s been dating since 2022, as they posed together at the Harmony Gold Theater in LA for the premiere of Amazon Prime Video series Countdown.
Dane’s courageous battle against the incurable degenerative neurological disorder, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), ended Thursday afternoon.
The Actor Award winner was diagnosed with the condition also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease in April 2025, and as the months went by he lost the function of his dominant right arm and legs.
Dane managed to find the strength to portray Special Agent Nathan Blythe in Derek Haas’ 13-episode crime drama, which was canceled last October after only one season.
The Euphoria star’s co-star Jensen Ackles said he brought a ‘beautiful, quiet leadership’ to the cast that was ‘incredibly needed’ in Countdown.
Eric Dane looked healthy and happy during his final red carpet appearance with his girlfriend Janell Shirtcliff on June 18 – just eight months before his passing at age 53
‘That was just something that was so beneficial to the process of creating a team both on and off camera,’ Ackles told E! News last June.
Despite his relationship with Shirtcliff, Dane spent his final days ‘surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife Rebecca Gayheart and his two beautiful daughters Billie, 15; and Georgia, 14; who were the center of his world.’
‘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,’ his family said in a statement.
‘He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time.’
The 54-year-old Jawbreaker alum had dismissed her divorce petition in March last year following seven years of estrangement.
And Dane’s last live virtual appearance took place December 2 for the nonprofit advocacy organization, I AM ALS.
‘I have no reason to be in a good spirit at any time, on any given day,’ he confessed during the conversation.
The ailing father-of-two beamed at the 42-year-old photographer, whom he’s been dating since 2022, as they posed together at the Harmony Gold Theater in LA for the premiere of Amazon Prime Video series Countdown
Dane’s courageous battle against the incurable degenerative neurological disorder, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), ended Thursday afternoon
The Actor Award winner was diagnosed with the condition also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease in April 2025, and as the months went by he lost the function of his dominant right arm and legs
Dane managed to find the strength to portray Special Agent Nathan Blythe in Derek Haas’ 13-episode crime drama, which was canceled last October after only one season
The Euphoria star’s co-star Jensen Ackles (L) said he brought a ‘beautiful, quiet leadership’ to the cast that was ‘incredibly needed’ in Countdown
Despite his relationship with Shirtcliff, Dane spent his final days ‘surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife Rebecca Gayheart and his two beautiful daughters Billie, 15; and Georgia, 14; who were the center of his world’ (pictured July 24)
The 54-year-old Jawbreaker alum (R, pictured in 2017) had dismissed her divorce petition in March last year following seven years of estrangement
And Dane’s last live virtual appearance took place December 2 for the nonprofit advocacy organization, I AM ALS
The San Francisco-born actor concluded his role as the closeted real estate agent Cal Jacobs in the eight-episode third season of Euphoria, which premieres April 12 on HBO Max
‘I don’t think anybody would blame me if I went upstairs in my bedroom, crawled under the sheets, and spent the next two weeks crying. I think it’s imperative that I share my journey with as many people as I can because I don’t feel like my life is about me anymore.
‘And it’s something I’ve had to wrestle with because I’m a pretty selfish person, and I’d love for my life to be all about me, but I just can’t — I don’t think I’d be able to move forward if that were the case.’
On average, ALS patients reportedly live two to five years following their first symptoms, but FDA-approved medications and physical/speech therapies might slow down the progression of the disorder.
Dane concluded his role as the closeted real estate agent Cal Jacobs in the eight-episode third season of Euphoria, which premieres April 12 on HBO Max.
Sam Levinson’s drug-fueled drama will welcome newcomers Sharon Stone, Rosalía, Marshawn Lynch and Kadeem Hardison in the new season.
The San Francisco-born actor also shot the six-episode series Kabul and one episode of Brilliant Minds last year.
Dane famously got his big break portraying plastic surgeon Mark ‘McSteamy’ Sloan from 2006–2012 on the ABC medical drama Grey’s Anatomy.
