Eric Dane, best known to millions as “McSteamy” from Grey’s Anatomy, has had a career full of success and admiration. After leaving the medical drama, he went on to star in the hit action series The Last Ship, which further cemented his place in Hollywood. But while his professional journey has been bright, his personal life has seen many emotional turns. Lately, he’s back in the spotlight after revealing that he’s battling ALS, a serious neurodegenerative disease. His wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart, has stood firmly by his side — even calling off their divorce just a day before he made his diagnosis public.
Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart’s story goes back to 2004, when the two got married in Las Vegas on October 29. Their love story began in the simplest way — Eric once asked Rebecca if she wanted to go out with him, and she said yes. Ten months later, they were married. They became parents to two daughters: Billie, born in 2010, and Georgia, born in 2011. Eric often described himself as a lucky man, saying he never imagined having such a beautiful family before meeting Rebecca.
But their marriage wasn’t without challenges. In 2011, Eric entered rehab after becoming addicted to painkillers he had been taking for a sports injury. He later admitted that it was a difficult period and expressed regret for putting Rebecca through it. In an interview with People, he said his biggest mistake was letting the person he loved most get caught up in his struggles. He also shared that, despite everything, he felt grateful for where life had brought him and was genuinely happy in the moment.
After 14 years together, Rebecca filed for divorce in 2018, citing irreconcilable differences. The couple made it clear that they still cared deeply for each other and would focus on raising their daughters together as friends. Rebecca described that period as a time of adjustment, saying that finding a “new normal” wasn’t easy but that her main priority was keeping their children happy and healthy.
Years later, in March 2025, Rebecca decided to withdraw her divorce petition after seven years of legal back-and-forth. The timing of this decision raised attention — it came just before Eric announced that he had been diagnosed with ALS. While neither of them publicly confirmed that his health was the reason for calling off the divorce, it’s clear that Rebecca’s choice reflected love, loyalty, and the strong bond they’ve always shared.
Now, as Eric faces one of the toughest battles of his life, Rebecca has remained a source of comfort and strength. Their story, once filled with red carpets and Hollywood glamour, has turned into one of resilience, compassion, and unwavering support through the hardest of times.