Eric Dane‘s final interview has been released.
Before his death on Thursday (February 19) at the age of 53 following a battle with ALS, the Grey’s Anatomy actor taped an interview for Netflix‘s posthumous interview series Famous Last Words.
If you weren’t aware, the series “gives audiences around the world the opportunity to hear from a cultural icon after they’ve passed away.”
At the end of the interview, which was recorded in November 2025, Eric gave a direct-to-camera address to his daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14, whom he shares with wife Rebecca Gayheart.
Keep reading to find out more…“These words are for you. I tried. I stumbled sometimes, but I tried,” Eric began. “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.”
“First, live now. Right now. In the present. It’s hard, but I learned to do that,” he continued. “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,” Eric said. “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.”
“Third, choose your friends wisely. Find your people and allow them to find you, and then give yourselves to them,” he shared. “The best of them will give back to you. No judgement. No conditions. No questions asked.”
Eric said that he was so thankful to his friends who had all “stepped up” for him during his illness. While he explained that he couldn’t do the things he loved – like going to the gym, driving around, and getting coffee – anymore, he was grateful for his for just showing up.
“Just show up. And love your friends with everything you have,” he said. “Hang on to them. They will entertain you, guide you support you and some will save you.”
Eric‘s last lesson to his daughters is 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.”
“Billie and Georgia, you are my heart,” he concluded. “You are my everything. Good night. I love you. Those are my last words.”
Eric‘s final interview is now streaming on Netflix.
