The late Eric Dane's final words were a powerful testament to his spirit and love for life, recorded just two months before his tragic death from ALS. In a deeply personal interview, he shared his last message with his two teenage daughters, Billie and Georgia, offering them a glimpse into his thoughts and emotions during his battle with the disease.
"I tried," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "I stumbled sometimes, but I tried. Overall, we had a blast, didn't we?" Dane reminisced about their beach days in Malibu, Santa Monica, Hawaii, and Mexico, painting a vivid picture of their shared memories. "Billie and Georgia, these words are for you," he began, his eyes glistening with tears. "I see you now playing in the ocean for hours, my water babies. Those days, pun intended, were heaven."
Despite the disease's relentless grip on his body, Dane's spirit remained unyielding. "This disease is slowly taking my body, but it will never take my spirit," he declared. "Fight until your last breath. Billie and Georgia, you are my heart. You are my everything... I love you. Those are my last words."
Before passing on, Dane imparted four invaluable lessons he learned from living with ALS: Live in the present, fall in love with life, choose your friends wisely, and fight with dignity. He emphasized the importance of living in the now, sharing his own struggles with mental wandering and worry. "When faced with challenges, live now, right now, in the present," he advised. "It’s hard, but I learned to do that."
The Hollywood star's family confirmed his death on Thursday at age 53, following a 10-month battle with ALS. His final days were spent surrounded by loved ones, including his wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart, who postponed their separation to remain by his side. His former co-star, Patrick Dempsey, remembered Dane as the "funniest man" and a joy to work with, praising his efforts to raise awareness about ALS during his final days.
