Eric Dane used his final interview to share a special message to his beloved daughters.
The 53-year-old actor, who was best known for his role as Dr Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy between 2006 and 2012, died on Thursday but he recorded the Netflix special Famous Last Words in November, where he shared some words of wisdom for his daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13.
The special was released one day after his death from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) – a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells and causes loss of muscle control.
Speaking directly to the camera in the Netflix special, Dane 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? 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.”
Dane, who shared his daughters with estranged wife Rebecca Gayheart, went on to tell them “four things I’ve learned from this disease”.
“First, live now. Right now. In the present. It’s hard, but I learned to do that. 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 done 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.”
He also spoke about the importance of falling in love, adding: “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.”
Dane advised his children on friendships, telling them to “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… love your friends with everything you have. Hang on to them. They will entertain you, guide you, help you, support you, and some will save you.”
And finally, Dane, who announced his ALS diagnosis 10 months ago, urged his daughters to “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. This disease is slowly taking my body, but it will never take my spirit,” he said.
“The two of you are different people. But you’re both strong and resilient. You inherited resiliency from me. That’s my superpower. You knock me down, I bounce right up, and I keep coming back. I get up again, and again, and again. I’m like a cat, except a cat has nine lives, and I’m on No 15 – easily. So when something unexpected hits you, and it will because that’s life, fight and face it with honesty, integrity, and grace, even if it feels or seems insurmountable.
“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.”