A GoFundMe campaign initiated by close friends of the late actor Eric Dane has now set its sights on a $500,000 target, garnering robust support from many who back the cause.

The beloved Grey’s Anatomy actor’s passing was confirmed by his family in a statement to People magazine on Thursday. This somber news comes less than a year after Dane revealed he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurological disorder that impacts the spinal cord and brain, leading to muscle paralysis. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for this debilitating condition.

Dane leaves behind his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, and their two teenage daughters, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13, who now face a future without him.

In response to his untimely death, friends have set up a GoFundMe page to support his daughters, launching the campaign shortly after his passing on Friday.

Initially, the fundraising goal was $250,000, but due to overwhelming support, it has been doubled to $500,000. As of now, contributions have reached approximately $244,000.

The GoFundMe page set up by close friends of late actor Eric Dane has raised its goal to $500k as some have fiercely defended the fundraiser; seen in 2022 in L.A. 

Friends organized the GoFundMe shortly after his passing on Friday to help support his daughters; seen in 2024 in Hollywood 

Euphoria creator Sam Levinson offered a top donation of $27,000 in the wake of Dane’s death. 

The late star had portrayed the character of Cal Jacobs in the HBO Max series. Before his tragic passing, Dane filmed scenes for the show’s upcoming third season – which is set to premiere on April 12. 

Television writer and producer Brad Falchuk, who is married to Gwyneth Paltrow, donated $10,000. 

The friends who launched the GoFundMe page also penned a message underneath a photo of Dane with his two daughters. 

‘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.’

They reflected on his devotion and advocacy for the ALS community while adding that ‘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.’

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

The initial goal had been set at $250k but has since been doubled. Donations have since raised up to around $244,000 at the time of publication

‘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

They reflected on his devotion and advocacy for the ALS community while adding that ‘he remained deeply committed to helping others facing the same devastating disease’; seen in June 2025 in L.A. 

One close friend of Dane came to the defense of the fundraiser which was created to benefit his two daughters. 

Mike McGuiness took to Instagram to share a tribute to the actor and reflected on a trip they took before his passing. 

At one point, he wrote: ‘Covid and ALS did a number on his work life and he sadly couldn’t leave his family with the resources he had hoped. 

‘A gofundme is being made and I will post it on my story for anyone able to help. Love the ones you’ve got.’ 

McGuiness also emotionally penned that Dane’s death ‘broke me’ and described ALS ‘as hopeless an affliction one could get.’ However, the late star handled the disease with both ‘grace’ and ‘dignity.’ 

After his diagnosis, Dane joined McGuiness and other pals for a trip to Tokyo where they attended an Oasis concert. 

‘Eric said he couldn’t fix the past and the future was too hard to think about, so he was forced to be in the moment. On top of that, his hands didn’t work, so he couldn’t be on a phone. So in the moment he was.’ 

McGuiness added that he ‘learned more about my buddy in that week than the other 1000 times we hung out combined.’ 

One close friend of Dane, Mike McGuiness, came to the defense of the fundraiser which was created to benefit his two daughters

At one point, he wrote: ‘Covid and ALS did a number on his work life and he sadly couldn’t leave his family with the resources he had hoped’

McGuiness also emotionally penned that Dane’s death ‘broke me’ and described ALS ‘as hopeless an affliction one could get.’ However, the late star handled the disease with both ‘grace’ and ‘dignity’

After his diagnosis, Dane joined McGuiness and other pals for a trip to Tokyo where they attended an Oasis concert

Gayheart also took to her Instagram stories to respond to the outpouring of support on the GoFundMe and typed out, ‘Thank you to everyone.’

Before his death, Dane had secretly recorded his ‘last words’ to his teenage daughters for a Netflix documentary. 

The nearly one hour film has since become available on the streaming site and titled Famous Last Words: Eric Dane. It is understood the project would only be released posthumously, according to reports.

‘Billie and Georgia, these words are for you. I tried. I stumbled sometimes, but I tried,’ he said. ‘Overall, we had a blast, didn’t we?’ 

He then shared four lessons that he learned amid his ALS battle, including to ‘live now, right now 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.’

Another lesson included ‘choosing your friends wisely’ while the fourth was ‘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…’ 

Gayheart also took to her Instagram stories to respond to the outpouring of support on the GoFundMe and typed out, ‘Thank you to everyone’

Before his death, Dane had secretly recorded his ‘last words’ to his teenage daughters for a Netflix documentary (seen above)

‘Billie and Georgia, these words are for you. I tried. I stumbled sometimes, but I tried,’ he said. ‘Overall, we had a blast, didn’t we?’

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

Dane married Gayheart in 2004 and the pair welcomed their two daughters. She filed for divorce in 2018 but she reportedly dismissed the petition amid his health battle in 2025. 

The pair remained legally married until his death, with the stars being involved in separate relationships. 

Gayheart recently shared an assortment of throwback images of Dane from over the years to her Instagram stories in the wake of his passing.

A number of other tributes have also flooded in, with some of his former Grey’s Anatomy castmates breaking silence such as Kate Walsh and Patrick Dempsey.

Dane was known for a multitude of roles throughout his Hollywood career, including his portrayal of Dr. Mark Sloan (also known as McSteamy) on the hit medical series beginning in 2006. 

Gayheart recently shared an assortment of throwback images of Dane from over the years to her Instagram stories in the wake of his passing

Dane was known for a multitude of roles throughout his Hollywood career, including his portrayal of Dr. Mark Sloan (also known as McSteamy) on the hit medical series beginning in 2006

His passing occurred on the 20th anniversary of his initial appearance on the ABC show, with Dane’s first episode airing on February 19, 2006.

James Van Der Beek’s widow Kimberly also shared a tribute in the wake of her own husband’s death earlier this month on February 11. 

‘RIP @realericdane We love you @rebeccagayheartdane. Will miss our guys laughing at Christmas parties together,’ she wrote on her Instagram stories. 

Dane had publicly announced his diagnosis with ALS last year in April.