New light has been shed on the financial struggles Eric Dane was facing as a result of his ALS battle – amid backlash over a GoFundMe launched in support of his daughters.
The Grey’s Anatomy star’s death at age 53 was confirmed by his loved ones in a statement to People on Thursday – less than one year after he announced his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis.
A GoFundMe was created for Dane’s two daughters following his death, and now a source close to the late actor’s family has revealed why they moved ahead with the fundraiser.
TMZ reports that Dane had been hit with significant medical bills during his health ordeal, prompting friends to create the fundraiser for the sake of his daughters.
The Daily Mail has contacted a representative for Dane for comment but have not yet heard back.
Dane is survived by widow Rebecca Gayheart as well as their two teenage daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13.
Eric Dane was reportedly facing major medical bills as he sought to overcome his battle with ALS ahead of his death at age 53; pictured June 2025
Although Dane split from Gayheart in 2017, they retained a close bond as they raised their daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13, and never finalized the divorce, which they called off altogether just before he revealed he had ALS.
Gayheart posted a slew of photos remembering Dane over the weekend, as did his girlfriend Janell Shirtcliff.
Friends organized the GoFundMe shortly after his passing on Friday to help support his daughters.
The initial goal had been set at $250k but has since been doubled. Donations have raised up to around $418,965 at the time of this publication.
The GoFundMe page set up by close friends of late actor Eric Dane has raised its goal to $500k as some have fiercely come to the defense of the fundraiser.
Euphoria creator Sam Levinson offered a top donation of $27,000 in the wake of Dane’s death.
The late star had portrayed the character of Cal Jacobs in the HBO Max series. Before his tragic passing, Dane filmed scenes for the show’s upcoming third season – which is set to premiere on April 12. Television writer and producer Brad Falchuk, who is married to Gwyneth Paltrow, donated $10,000.
The friends who launched the GoFundMe page also penned a message underneath a photo of Dane with his two daughters.
‘It is with profound sadness that we share the loss of Eric Dane after a hard-fought battle with ALS, leaving behind his devoted wife, Rebecca, and his two teenage daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world.’
They reflected on his devotion and advocacy for the ALS community while adding that ‘he remained deeply committed to helping others facing the same devastating disease.
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Dane’s death at age 53 was announced last week and a GoFundMe was launched shortly thereafter in support of his daughters
Dane is survived by widow Rebecca Gayheart as well as their two teenage daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13
‘As his illness progressed far more quickly than anyone could have imagined, Eric’s friends have come together to create this GoFundMe to support his girls and their future needs.’
In conclusion, the message read, ‘Any contribution, no matter the size, will help provide stability during this incredibly difficult time and in the future for Eric’s wonderful daughters. Thank you.’
But the fundraiser faced backlash from those skeptical over the A-lister in need of financial assistance.
‘This man is an actor who I’m sure has money,’ one noted on X.
‘I’m truly sorry that James Van Der Beek & Eric Dane passed away. But, what’s with the GoFundMe for their families/children? Both were multimillionaires. Don’t tell me neither of them had life insurance. Us “non-elites” figure out how to go on. So must they,’ one wrote.
Over the weekend, a close friend of Dane defended the fundraiser.
Mike McGuiness took to Instagram to share a tribute to the actor and reflected on a trip they took before his passing.
At one point, he wrote: ‘Covid and ALS did a number on his work life and he sadly couldn’t leave his family with the resources he had hoped.
‘A gofundme is being made and I will post it on my story for anyone able to help. Love the ones you’ve got.’
A friend has since defended the GoFundMe launched in support of Dane’s daughters
McGuiness also emotionally penned that Dane’s death ‘broke me’ and described ALS ‘as hopeless an affliction one could get.’ However, the late star handled the disease with both ‘grace’ and ‘dignity.’
After his diagnosis, Dane joined McGuiness and other pals for a trip to Tokyo where they attended an Oasis concert.
‘Eric said he couldn’t fix the past and the future was too hard to think about, so he was forced to be in the moment. On top of that, his hands didn’t work, so he couldn’t be on a phone. So in the moment he was.’
McGuiness added that he ‘learned more about my buddy in that week than the other 1000 times we hung out combined.’
Gayheart also took to her Instagram stories to respond to the outpouring of support on the GoFundMe and typed out, ‘Thank you to everyone.’
ALS, which is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, affects the nervous system, including the spinal cord and brain. The muscles can suffer from paralysis and there is currently no cure for the disease.
