Shortly after news broke of Eric Dane’s untimely death from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, Netflix revealed that the American actor had agreed to record a final interview, with the understanding that it would air only after his death.
The interview is now available to subscribers of the streaming giant, but the central message of Dane’s remarks was directed at his daughters, Billie and Georgia. “You are my heart. You are everything to me. Good night. I love you. These are my last words,” he said at the end of the conversation.
From “Famous Last Words: Eric Dane”
(Video: Courtesy of Netflix)
The interview was produced in advance as part of the special series “Famous Last Words,” dedicated to public figures facing severe health crises who agree to reflect on their lives in depth. According to Netflix, the episode was filmed under an agreement that it would be broadcast only after his death.
Dane, best known for his roles in “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Euphoria,” was diagnosed with ALS in April 2025, just 10 months before he died at 53. He appeared for the interview seated in a wheelchair, largely paralyzed and struggling to speak.
In his conversation with interviewer Brad Falchuk, known as Ryan Murphy’s longtime creative partner and the husband of Gwyneth Paltrow, Dane discussed key moments in both his professional and personal life, including his relationship with his wife, model and actress Rebecca Gayheart of “Beverly Hills, 90210.” However, most of his most emotional words were reserved for his daughters, 15-year-old Billie and 14-year-old Georgia. “These words are for you. I tried. I stumbled at times, but I tried. Overall, it was a blast, wasn’t it? I remember all the times we spent on the beach, the two of you, me and Mom, in Santa Monica, Hawaii, Mexico. I see you now playing in the ocean for hours, my water babies. Those days were heaven.”
“I want to tell you four things I learned from this illness, and I hope you will not just listen to me. I hope you will hear me,” Dane said before offering advice for the future. “First, live now. Right now. In the present. It is hard, but I learned how to do it. For years, I wandered mentally and lost myself in my head for long stretches, worrying and wallowing in self-pity, shame and doubt. I reexamined decisions and questioned myself. ‘I should have done this,’ or ‘I should not have done that.’ No more. Out of pure survival, I am forced to stay in the present. But I do not want to be anywhere else. The past holds regrets. The future remains unknown. So you must live now. The present is all you have. Cherish it. Appreciate every moment.”
“Second, fall in love. Not necessarily with a person, though I recommend that too. Fall in love with something. Find your passion, your joy. Find something that makes you want to get up in the morning and drives you through the day. I first fell in love when I was your age. I fell in love with acting. That love carried me through my darkest hours, my darkest days, my darkest year. I still love my work, and I look forward to it. I still want to stand in front of the camera and play my part. My work does not define me, but it excites me. Find something that excites you. Find your path, your destination, your dream. And then go for it. Truly go for it.”
Dane also urged them to “choose your friends carefully,” and his final piece of advice was “to fight for every inch of your existence, with fairness.”
“When you face challenges, health-related or otherwise, fight. Never give up. Fight until your last breath. The disease is slowly taking my body, but it will never take my spirit.”