In the days following the death of actor Eric Dane, a fundraising campaign created to support his two teenage daughters has gained renewed attention, prompting a quiet public response from his wife, Rebecca Gayheart.

Over the weekend, Gayheart shared a series of older family photos on social media showing Dane with their daughters and included a link to a GoFundMe established to provide financial assistance for the girls. Her message was brief, offering thanks to those who have contributed. It marked her first public acknowledgment since Dane’s death on Thursday, Feb. 19. He was 53.

According to a statement released by his family, Dane died after a battle with ALS, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive neurological disease. His loved ones said he spent his final days surrounded by friends and family, including Gayheart and their daughters, Billie and Georgia, who they described as the center of his world. They also noted that in the years following his diagnosis, Dane became an advocate for ALS awareness and research.

Dane had publicly disclosed his condition in April 2025. In the months prior to his death, he had been slated to receive the Advocate of the Year Award at the ALS Network’s Champions for Cures and Care Gala, but organizers later announced he would not attend due to declining health.

The actor was widely known for his role as Cal Jacobs on HBO’s Euphoria, where he appeared for three seasons. Following news of his passing, the network issued a statement expressing sadness and extending condolences to his family.

In a December 2025 interview with New York Magazine’s The Cut, Gayheart reflected on the early signs of Dane’s illness. She recalled noticing subtle symptoms about a year before his diagnosis, including difficulty using chopsticks during meals and dropping food from his hand. Those moments eventually led to medical consultations. She described the day he told her about the diagnosis as one filled with tears, saying it didn’t feel real at the time because he still seemed physically capable. The couple told their daughters about his condition roughly a week later.

Gayheart described ALS as a disease that brings unexpected setbacks, explaining that even with preparation, new physical obstacles can appear without warning. She has spoken about the emotional complexity of navigating the illness while raising teenagers.

Gayheart and Dane married in 2004 and share two daughters. They separated in 2018, and although Gayheart filed for divorce, she withdrew the petition in 2025. Despite living separately for years and both dating other people, she has described their connection as deeply familial, even if no longer romantic.

In what became his final recorded interview for Netflix’s Famous Last Words, which aired after his death, Dane spoke candidly about his relationship with Gayheart. He said he would never fall in love as deeply as he had with her and acknowledged that she had often shown more perseverance during difficult periods in their marriage.

The online fundraiser Gayheart shared is intended to provide long-term support for their daughters. Contributions have increased in recent days, reflecting continued public sympathy as the family navigates their loss. While Gayheart has largely remained private, her recent post offered a glimpse into personal memories and gratitude amid a painful chapter for her family.