The late Eric Dane passed away this week following his diagnosis with ALS. In a new interview published following his death, the star expressed his love for his family.
Prior to his death, Dane was interviewed in Netflix’s documentary series Famous Last Words. The series, based on a Danish series named Det Sidste Ord, is hosted by Brad Falchuk. Celebrities and other notable figures are interviewed, with the interview only set to air posthumously.
So far, only Dane and legendary activisit Jane Goodall have had episodes release. Dane ended his interview with a direct message to his family.
\“These words are for you. I tried. I stumbled sometimes, but I tried,” said Dane to his daughters, Billie and Georgia (via Variety). “Overall we had a blast, didn’t we? I remember all the times we spent at the beach, the two of you, me and mom — in Santa Monica, Hawaii, Mexico. I see you now playing in the ocean for hours, my water babies. Those days, pun intended, were heaven. I want to tell you four things I’ve learned from this disease, and I hope you don’t just listen to me. I hope you’ll hear me.”
Dane, who was first diagnosed with ALS in 2025, went on to tell his daughters to stay in the present, experience love, and more. “First, live now. Right now. In the present. It’s hard, but I learned to do that,” Dane said. “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.”
“Second, fall in love,” Dane continues. “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. I fell in love for the first time when I was about your age. I fell in love with acting. That love eventually got me through my darkest hours, my darkest days, my darkest year. I still love my work, I still look forward to it, I still want to get in front of a camera and play my part. My work doesn’t define me, but it excites me. Find something that excites you. Find your path, your purpose, your dream. Then go for it. Really go for it.”
The final two lessons, Dane says, are to “choose your friends wisely” and “fight with every ounce of your being, and with dignity.” He ended the message by telling his daughters to keep that spirit regarding any and all aspects of life.
“When you face challenges, health or otherwise, fight. Never give up. Fight until your last breath. This disease is slowly taking my body, but it will never take my spirit.
“Billie and Georgia, you are my heart. You are my everything. Good night. I love you. Those are my last words.”
