How is Rebecca Gayheart honoring Eric Dane after his death? Actress shares joyful photos of late actor with daughters Billie and Georgina

16th Annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball - Arrivals - Source: Getty
16th Annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball - Arrivals - Source: Getty

Rebecca Gayheart honored Eric Dane with a heartfelt social media post, sharing images that capture the actor smiling alongside their children in scenes filled with warmth and everyday family life.

The actress filled her Instagram Stories with numerous images of her family spending quality time through the years, including photos of Eric Dane with their children when they were younger.

Rebecca Gayheart is seen in several photos smiling with their children. In some pictures, she and Eric Dane are posing together, holding hands.

Image obtained from Instagram: @rebeccagayheartdane
Image obtained from Instagram: @rebeccagayheartdane

One Story shows the two in their younger years, lying on a bed while the actress grins at the camera. She captioned the post with:

"Somewhere in the beginning."

Eric Dane shared last message to two daughters: " So you have to live now. The present is all you have."

Eric Dane passed away on Feb. 19 after a year-long battle with ALS.

Before his death, he sat down for an interview with Netflix's Famous Last Words, where he delivered his final love letter to his family.

For his daughters, who are teenagers now, the Grey's Anatomy icon looked straight at the camera and said:

"Billie and Georgia, these words are for you. I tried. I stumbled sometimes, but I tried. Overall, we had a blast, didn’t we?"

He added:

"First, live now. Right now. In the present. It's hard, but I learned to do that. For years, I have been wandering around mentally and lost in my head for long chunks of time, wallowing and worrying in self-pity, shame, and doubt. I've replayed decisions, second-guessed myself. 'I shouldn't have done this. I never should've that.' No more. Out of pure survival, I am forced to stay in the present. But I don't want to be anywhere else. The past contains regrets. The future remains unknown. So you have to live now. The present is all you have. Treasure it. Cherish every moment."
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He also encouraged his children to fall in love, not only with the person but also "with something." Eric Dane continued:

"Find your passion, your joy. Find the thing that makes you want to get up in the morning, drives you through the entire day."

He also left a heartfelt message for his wife.

"I will have never, by the time anyone sees this, have fallen in love with another woman as deeply as I fell in love with Rebecca."
Image obtained from Instagram: @rebeccagayheartdane
Image obtained from Instagram: @rebeccagayheartdane

Gayheart and Dane started dating in 2003 and tied the knot in Las Vegas in 2004.

In 2018, Gayheart filed for divorce. However, in March 2025, she asked the court to dismiss it.

Per People, the two weren't romantically involved anymore at the time of Eric Dane's death, but Rebecca Gayheart remained committed to the relationship nonetheless. In an essay she wrote for The Cut last December 2025, she said:

"It's a very complicated relationship, one that's confusing for people. Our love may not be romantic, but it's a familial love."

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Edited by Gladys Altamarino