In his final interview, Eric Dane made a rare comment about how he dealt with his dad’s death by suicide decades prior.
“I put a lot of effort into [Euphoria],” Dane, 53, said during an appearance on Netflix’s Famous Last Words, which premiered on Friday, February 20. “Well, [my character] Cal and I are very similar in that we know what it’s like to lead a double life. I’ve had experience with that with my battle with drugs and alcohol. I know what it’s like to not have my insides match my outside.”
Dane noted that his own father “struggled with life and he never felt like he was enough” before he died when Dane was 7 years old.
“I kept thinking about how lonely my father must have been and how scared he must have been,” the actor recalled. “It’s heartbreaking.”
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Reflecting on his own struggles, Dane admitted he found himself dealing with loneliness over the years. “I’ve always felt detached from my peers,” he explained. “I’ve historically had a very difficult time connecting with people. And you know, four months after my father died, my [maternal] grandmother died, who I lived with. Very close. That was almost as impactful, maybe more so than my dad. She really took care of me. … My mom was young, I think she did the best she could with the tools she had available to her.”
Dane later found himself seeking treatment for trauma and depression. “[It was] solely related to my dad because that’s where the trauma came from,” he continued. “Shutting off, don’t feel, be strong to me, man. Don’t feel, don’t cry. I wanted to explode, but I had to keep it in.”
He concluded: “I’ve written letters to him, not so much lately. I think I’ve found real peace around it. It still makes me feel, but I’ve really found some peace around it.”
Dane’s candid interview was released one day after his death at age 53 on Thursday, February 19.
“He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world,” read a statement on from Dane’s loved ones. “Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight. He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always.”
The statement concluded: “Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time.”
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After Dane went public with his ALS diagnosis in April 2025, he expressed frustration with how his health battle affected his daughters, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13, whom she shared with Rebecca Gayheart.
“I’m angry because, you know, my father was taken from me when I was young and now there’s a very good chance I’m going to be taken from my girls while they’re very young,” Dane said on Good Morning America in June 2025. “At the end of the day, all I want to do is spend time with my family and work a little bit if I can. … They’re loved. They know it.”
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
