- Eric Dane died at 53 after a long battle with ALS on February 19
- He emphasized resilience and living in the present during his final interview
- Dane shared deep reflections on love, trauma, addiction, and self-worth
Eric Dane was a man of immense compassion, bravery, and something he repeatedly emphasised in his posthumous interview, which was released after his death: resilience.
The 53-year-old actor, who gained explosive popularity as Dr Mark Sloan in Shonda Rhimes' Grey's Anatomy, died on February 19 after a long battle with ALS. What he left behind was his fight against an unfortunate disease that took his life so early.
In Netflix's Famous Last Words, viewers get to meet an Eric Dane beyond the charming onscreen icon that he was. In his most vulnerable and real self yet, his interview offers deep insight into everything he thought of himself, what his family and beautiful daughters thought of him, regrets, trauma, separation from the love of his life, Rebecca, losing his father to suicide and the trauma that ensued, and, above all, whether it was a life well lived.
"I had fun, man," says the effortlessly funny Eric Dane to American television writer, director, and producer Brad Falchuk, who sat down for one last time with him as he bade farewell to the world-most importantly, his daughters.
Here's a look at the top 10 life lessons and self-realisation shared by Eric Dane in his final interview, until death did us part:
1) Realising Self-Worth
Eric Dane opened up about how his fight with ALS taught him the most important lesson ever: living in the present. The steady progression of the condition also helped him break free from the endless loop of self-pity and doubts. He said, "All I'm left with is me. It's kind of a f****d-up way of realising that you were enough the whole time, when everything gets taken away, and all you have left is this person."
2) Making Resiliency His Superpower
He was proud of being resilient in the face of a disease that so rapidly engulfed him. He said, "I didn't think this was gonna be the end of the road for me. This was never part of the story I created for myself." But through immense courage, he strongly believed that this disease could weaken his body but never diminish his spirit. Such was his strength, and he considered it his superpower.
Image Credit: Netflix
3) An Epic Love Story With Rebecca
Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart separated after 15 years of marriage in 2017. But the love never ceased. In a deeply grateful moment, he said, "Well, we still love each other deeply. I just don't think we want to live with each other. There's a lot of love there. By the time anybody sees this, I will never have fallen in love with another woman as deeply as I fell in love with Rebecca."
4) Honest Thoughts On Himself
Very rarely will you find someone giving his so-called "last interview" who is so forthright about his thoughts on himself. Eric Dane does not hold back. It was refreshing and inspiring to see him proudly acknowledge that he found himself a kind, thoughtful, considerate, empathetic, sensitive, and vulnerable person-even though he was afraid-who cared deeply and found it exhausting to feel and care so deeply.
5) Addiction And Trauma-And The Impact It Left Behind
Battles were not scarce in Eric Dane's life. Every moment was a struggle. At the tender age of seven, he lost his father to suicide. This left a void in him so deep that he had to seek help for his depression, which eventually resulted in him always feeling "lonely even in a crowded room". He was told by his mother "to be strong" and "not to cry", but at this very moment in his last interaction, he affirmed that he had found "peace around his father's death."
Image Credit: Netflix
6) Regrets
His daughters were his life. He got emotional as he expressed regret at maybe not being present to walk them down the aisle or see his grandchildren-an experience he would deeply regret missing. Furthermore, he had disappointments with many decisions he made regarding alcohol and drugs. But what he was sure of at the end of the day is that if he could not communicate with his children or move, he'd rather not be here. That showed a practical approach to what his body was dealing with.
Eric Dane with his daughters Billie and Georgia
7) Spreading Awareness About ALS
A major part of Eric Dane's life ever since his ALS diagnosis was to spread awareness about the disease. He was a powerful voice in the community, advocating for a cure and greater access to healthcare. He highlighted that, in order to do so, the foremost requirement is financial reach.
8) A Life Well-Lived
For however long he did live, he did so with a lot of self-dignity and pride. As he mentioned, "I'm healthy. But I don't feel bad for myself, but for my kids, Rebecca and family. I punched a few people; they deserved it. I've had a lot of fun, some unhealthy, some very unhealthy, but I look back fondly."
9) Would His Daughters Call Him A Good Dad?
"I was a good dad," Eric Dane firmly affirmed. He cracked jokes about how his daughters would call him a "reactive person"-not necessarily in a negative way. Furthermore, he described himself from his children's perspective as "tough, resilient, always loving, endearing, compassionate, empathetic and trustworthy". It leaves a lingering smile on your face, reflecting the honesty it conveyed.
10) A Love Letter For His Beloved Daughters
The biggest highlight of the interview was Eric Dane's "last words" at the end of the show, for his daughters. Lessons and wisdom he wished to leave behind for Billie and Georgia, whom he loved the most.
He 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? First, live now. Right now. In the present. It's hard, but I learned to do that. 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.
"Second, fall in love. Not necessarily with a person, although I do recommend that as well. But fall in love with something. Find your passion, your joy. Find the thing that makes you want to get up in the morning, drives you through the entire day. Find something that excites you. Find your path, your purpose, your dream. Then go for it. Really go for it," he continued.
"Third, choose your friends wisely. Find your people and allow them to find you. And then give yourselves to them. The best of them will give back to you. No judgment, no conditions, no questions asked. And love your friends with everything you have. Hang onto them. They will entertain you, guide you, help you, support you, and some will save you," added Eric Dane.
"Finally, fight with every ounce of your being, and with dignity. When you face challenges, health or otherwise, fight. Never give up. Fight until your last breath. I hope I've demonstrated that you can face anything. You can face the end of your days. You can face hell with dignity. Fight, girls, and hold your heads high. Billie and Georgia, you are my heart. You are my everything. Good night. I love you. Those are my last words," he concluded.
This special documentary makes you feel a weird mix of emotions, as well as the closure Eric Dane gave to his fans before his final goodbye. It's like he was so sure his time was coming, but even while facing death, he left people smiling about it.
ALSO READ | How The Tragic Death Of Eric Dane Mirrors McSteamy's End On Grey's Anatomy