Eric Dane's Relationship with Wife Rebecca Gayheart Explained: From Marriage, to Breakup, & Why They Never Divorced
Eric Dane was still married to wife Rebecca Gayheart at the time of his death, but they have not actually been a couple since 2018.
The beloved Grey’s Anatomy actor, best known for his character’s nickname McSteamy, passed away at the age of 53 following a battle with ALS.
Eric started dating Rebecca in the early 2000s and they tied the knot in Las Vegas in October 2004. The couple expanded their family years later when they welcomed their daughter Billie in March 2010, followed by daughter Georgia in December 2011.
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Over the years, they faced personal struggles, including a personal leaked video scandal in 2009, Eric‘s rehab stint for prescription medication addiction in the summer of 2011, as well as a depression battle years later.
The couple called it quits in 2018, with Rebecca filing for divorce after 14 years of marriage.
Despite the breakup, Eric and Rebecca remained close as they co-parented their daughters and continued taking family trips.
In March 2025, Rebecca called off their divorce and dismissed their proceedings. We found out a month later that Eric had been diagnosed with ALS, which explained why she decided not to move forward with the divorce.
Despite the divorce not happening, Rebecca and Eric did not actually reconcile their romantic relationship. He sparked dating rumors with actress Priya Jain when they were spotted on dates in November 2024 and again in May 2025. Then in June 2025, Eric made his red carpet debut with girlfriend Janell Shirtcliff in his first appearance after announcing his ALS diagnosis.
In December 2025, Rebecca released an essay in which she described her estranged husband’s ALS symptoms before his diagnosis, and what happened the day he was diagnosed with the devastating neurological syndrome.
Eric‘s family has released a statement following his death.