Eric Dane's Self-Blame Over Marriage Split with Rebecca Gayheart

Eric Dane attributed his split from wife Rebecca Gayheart to himself in a special recorded before his death. The special aired shortly after Dane passed away at 53 due to ALS.

Reflection on Marriage

Dane admitted feeling that Gayheart contributed more to their relationship. He described his tendency to abandon things when they get difficult, using a metaphor of scuttling a sinking ship instead of repairing it.

The couple initially filed for divorce in 2018 after 13 years together, but later called it off in March 2025, just before Dane revealed his ALS diagnosis.

Family Dynamics

Dane and Gayheart share two daughters, Billie and Georgia. Despite separating, Dane emphasized the importance of staying connected with both Gayheart and their children, whom he felt distanced from after moving into separate homes.

In the Netflix special, Dane praised Gayheart as a "fighter" who perseveres through challenges. He expressed regret for lost time with his family during their separation.

Remaining Connected

While no longer together romantically, Dane described maintaining a strong friendship with Gayheart. They experienced love but preferred living apart. Gayheart shared that she withdrew their divorce filing to demonstrate family unity to their daughters during tough times.

Both moved on romantically post-separation; Gayheart was linked to Peter Morton, while Dane briefly dated filmmaker Janell Shirtcliff. Despite these developments, the focus remained on showing up for family amidst life's challenges.