Rebecca Gayheart, the widow of Eric Dane, has been seen publicly for the first time since the actor’s passing at the age of 53.

The 54-year-old actress appeared visibly shaken as she visited the Los Angeles residence where Dane spent his final days.

Described by sources as being ‘devastated’ by Dane’s swift health decline, Gayheart was seen leaving the home wearing a beige trench coat and sunglasses to shield her eyes.

Following the heart-wrenching news, Dane’s friends established a GoFundMe campaign to support the couple’s teenage daughters, Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13.

The actor’s passing was confirmed on Thursday, coming less than a year after he publicly shared his diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Dane and Gayheart’s relationship began in 2003, culminating in a Las Vegas wedding less than a year later. Although they announced a separation in 2018, they reconciled in 2025, staying together until Dane’s untimely death.

Eric Dane’s grieving widow Rebecca Gayheart, 54, was pictured for the first time since the actor’s death at 53

Gayheart cut a somber figure while visiting the Los Angeles house where Dane had been living at the time of his death

Earlier on Friday it emerged that Dane secretly recorded his ‘last words’ to the girls for a Netflix release after his death. 

Friends of Dane, who was catapulted to fame after starring as the heartthrob McSteamy on Grey’s Anatomy, launched a GoFundMe on Friday, to help support his daughters.

As of Friday afternoon, the fundraiser had raised $7,705 of its $250,000 goal. 

‘It is with profound sadness that we share the loss of Eric Dane after a hard-fought battle with ALS, leaving behind his devoted wife, Rebecca, and his two teenage daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world,’ a description on the fundraiser read.

‘Following his diagnosis, Eric became a passionate spokesperson for the ALS community, using his voice and platform to advocate for fellow patients and to push for greater awareness.’

‘Even as his own health declined, he remained deeply committed to helping others facing the same devastating disease. As his illness progressed far more quickly than anyone could have imagined, Eric’s friends have come together to create this GoFundMe to support his girls and their future needs.’

‘Any contribution, no matter the size, will help provide stability during this incredibly difficult time and in the future for Eric’s wonderful daughters.’

In the months before his death, Dane recorded an interview for Netflix in which he left a deeply personal message for his two daughters.

In the wake of his death, Netflix added the new documentary to its library, giving fans an intimate look at Dane’s final reflections.

The 50-minute film, titled Famous Last Words: Eric Dane, was recorded in secret with the understanding it would only be released posthumously, according to reports.

The actress was spotted leaving the property in a beige trench coat and with glasses shielding her eyes

She was pictured following news that Dane’s friends launched a GoFUndMe for his and Gayheart’s teenage daughters Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13

Dane met Gayheart in 2003, and the pair married less than a year later in Las Vegas. They separated in 2018 but called off their split in 2025 and remained married until Dane’s death 

In November, Gayheart spoke about guiding their daughters through Dane’s battle with ALS on the Broad Ideas podcast

‘He is our family. He is your father,’ she told them after Dane revealed his diagnosis in April. ‘We show up, and we try to do it with some dignity and some grace and just get through it’

Still, she said at the time that her relationship with Dane was ‘super complicated’

‘We’ve been separated for eight years. The kids live with me 100 percent of the time,’ she said

The actor’s death was announced on Thursday, less than a year after he revealed that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease; He is pictured November 2025

Toward the end of the interview with Gwyneth Paltrow’s husband Brad Falchuk, Dane addressed his daughters directly: ‘Billie and Georgia, these words are for you. I tried. I stumbled sometimes, but I tried.’

He continued, ‘Overall, we had a blast, didn’t we?’

Dane went on to explain that he wanted to share four final lessons he had learned from his illness and asked them to listen closely.

‘First, live now, right now in the present. It’s hard, but I learned to do that,’ Dane said.

‘For years, I would wander off mentally, lost in my head for long chunks of time, wallowing in worry and self-pity, shame and doubt. I replayed decisions, second-guessed myself. “I shouldn’t have done this. I never should’ve done that.” No more.’

Dane said that ‘out of pure survival,’ he was forced to stay in the present.

‘Second, fall in love. Not necessarily with a person, although I do recommend that as well. But fall in love with something,’ Dane said.

‘Find your passion, your joy. Find the thing that makes you wanna get up in the morning.’

He told his daughters he’d found his love for acting at their age and urged them to pursue their passions fully.

‘Third, choose your friends wisely. Find your people and allow them to find you, and then give yourselves to them,’ the dad of two said. ‘The best of them will give back to you. No judgement. No conditions. No questions asked.’

Friends of Dane, who was catapulted to fame after starring as the heartthrob McSteamy on Grey’s Anatomy, launched a GoFundMe on Friday, to help support his daughters

In the months before his death, Dane recorded an interview for Netflix called Famous Last Words: Eric Dane in which he left a deeply personal message for his two daughters; Seen with his daughters in 2024

Gayheart and Dane pictured with their daughters in 2017

Dane said he was profoundly grateful to the friends who ‘stepped up’ during his illness.

‘Just show up. And love your friends with everything you have. Hang on to them. They will entertain you, guide you support you and some will save you,’ he said.

‘Finally, fight with every ounce of your being and with dignity. When you face challenges, health or otherwise, fight,’ he said. ‘Never give up. Fight until your last breath. This disease is slowly taking my body, but it will never take my spirit.’

‘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.’

‘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,’ he continued, his voice breaking.

‘Billie and Georgia, you are my heart. You are my everything. Good night. I love you. Those are my last words.’

In November, Gayheart spoke about guiding their daughters through Dane’s battle with ALS on the Broad Ideas podcast.

‘He is our family. He is your father,’ she told them after Dane revealed his diagnosis in April.

‘We show up, and we try to do it with some dignity and some grace and just get through it.’

Still, she said at the time that her relationship with Dane was ‘super complicated.’

The heartthrob actor rose to fame as Dr. Mark ‘McSteamy’ Sloan on the long-running medical drama Grey’s Anatomy; pictured in 2005 still

‘We’ve been separated for eight years. The kids live with me 100 percent of the time,’ she said.

‘There’s been lots of just stuff, other stuff, but I try to stay optimistic about it all.’

‘I’m trying to learn from it and [be a] role model for them [for] how to go through something like this, which is really hard,’ she added.

‘I don’t know if I’m doing it well or if I’m doing it in the wrong way or the right way. I’m just showing up. I’m showing up, and I’m trying to be there for them. I guess time will tell.’