Eric Dane Relies on Around-the-Clock Care as ALS Progresses, Ex Rebecca Gayheart Steps In to Help

Eric Dane is receiving round-the-clock care as he battles ALS, with ex-wife Rebecca Gayheart stepping in to help manage his needs. In a heartfelt essay for The Cut, Gayheart, 54, opened up about navigating the challenges of caregiving for Dane, who revealed his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis in April.

ALS is a progressive disease that damages nerve cells, leading to loss of muscle control and eventual paralysis, according to the Mayo Clinic. While treatments can slow its progression, there is currently no cure.

Gayheart shared that Dane now has 24/7 nurses, but securing that care required a fight with insurance companies. “Just figuring out the health-care system is its own thing — the health-insurance company will deny you what you’re asking for and you have to appeal and then you have to apply again,” she wrote.

She recalled one insurance representative telling her, “You can keep applying, and I’ll keep denying.” Gayheart said that pushed her to persist: “I made it my mission. I was ‘locked in,’ as the kids would say. I crashed out, and then I locked it in.” After two appeals, she succeeded in getting the care approved.

The actress, who shares daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13, with Dane, explained that his care is split into 21 shifts. “There are times that shifts aren’t covered, so I cover them. There was a 12-hour shift recently that I could not cover. I could only do four hours because of all the stuff that the kids are doing,” she said.

When needed, Gayheart has called on friends to help. “I had to call on two of Eric’s friends, one of them who had never really taken care of him in that way. I thought, ‘I can’t believe I had to ask someone to do this.’ And of course when I asked for help, they said, ‘Yeah, anything, what do you need? What’s going on?’ And they both showed up and did a wonderful job.”

Not everyone has been as supportive. Gayheart reflected, “There are a lot of people who used to be more present in my life who I think about and wonder, ‘Where’d they go?’ … Most people are not great in this situation because it’s so heavy. It’s not easy for people. So I don’t hold any grudges toward [anyone] who hasn’t shown up.”

Dane’s ALS symptoms began in early 2024. By June of this year, he had lost full function of his right arm and hand. By September, his speech had become slurred, and by October, he required a wheelchair full time. Gayheart has taken a central role in ensuring he receives proper care, showing both determination and compassion amid difficult circumstances.

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