Rebecca Gayheart is opening up about how her family is coping with husband Eric Dane’s ALS diagnosis.
The actress shared that their daughters, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13, have been struggling in the wake of the news.
“We have some professional therapists who are helping us, and we’re just trying to have some hope and do it with dignity, grace and love,” Gayheart told People at Step Up’s 2025 Inspiration Awards.
“I mean, it’s heartbreaking. My girls are really suffering, and we’re just trying to get through it. It’s a tough time,” she added.
Back in June, the Grey’s Anatomy alum, 52, spoke candidly with Diane Sawyer about the reality of living with ALS. “I wake up every day, and I’m immediately reminded that this is happening. It’s not a dream,” Dane said at the time.
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Dane announced his ALS diagnosis to People on April 10, 2025. “I have been diagnosed with ALS,” he wrote. “I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.”
The actor added, “I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to the set of Euphoria next week. I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time.”
Gayheart also reflected on how the diagnosis has reshaped their relationship. “We’re definitely dealing with something that has brought us all together, and Eric will always be my family—whether we’re married or not, or living in the same house or not. We are closer, but we don’t like the reason why. It’s a horrible disease, and I wish there was a cure. I hope they find one soon, because it is just so sad.”
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Earlier in September 2025, Dane announced his partnership with the nonprofit organization I AM ALS.
“I’m Eric, an actor, a father and now a person living with ALS,” the star said in a video message. “For over a century, ALS has been incurable, and we’re done accepting the status quo. We need the fastest path to a cure, and that’s why I partnered with I Am ALS on the Push for Progress. Our goal: a billion dollars over the next three years.”
He continued, “Together, we’ll renew the landmark Act for ALS, bring promising treatments to thousands of patients like me, and finally, finally, push toward ending this disease.”
