Fundraiser for Eric Dane's Daughters Surpasses $150,000 in Hours
A GoFundMe campaign established to support the two teenage daughters of late actor Eric Dane has raised more than half of its $250,000 goal in less than twenty-four hours. The fundraiser was launched by an unspecified group of Dane's close friends following his death on Thursday at the age of 53, after what his family described as "a courageous battle with ALS."
Rapid Donations and Emotional Tributes
By Saturday morning, donations had surged to nearly $150,000, including a substantial $27,000 contribution from Euphoria creator Sam Levinson. The campaign's description explains that as Dane's illness progressed far more rapidly than anticipated, his friends united to create this financial support for his daughters, Billie and Georgia, whom he shared with wife Rebecca Gayheart. The page poignantly notes the girls were "the center of his world."
In a statement to Variety, Levinson expressed his profound grief, saying, "I'm heartbroken by the loss of our dear friend Eric. Working with him was an honor. Being his friend was a gift. Eric's family is in our prayers. May his memory be for a blessing."
Dane's Career and Public Health Announcement
Eric Dane rose to fame playing Dr. Mark Sloan on the long-running medical drama Grey's Anatomy, a role that cemented his status in television. He reached a new generation of viewers in 2019 when he joined the cast of HBO's teen drama Euphoria as Cal Jacobs, a father concealing his homosexuality.
The actor publicly revealed his ALS diagnosis in April 2025, vowing at the time to continue working despite the health challenges. He told People magazine, "I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to [the] set of Euphoria next week. I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time."
Final Acting Role and ALS Advocacy
Dane's commitment to his craft remained evident as he undertook a guest role in a November episode of the NBC medical series Brilliant Minds. He portrayed Matthew Ramati, a firefighter grappling with how to disclose his own ALS diagnosis to his family. The episode provided a stark portrayal of the neurodegenerative disease's symptoms, showing Ramati losing hand function and struggling to breathe using a tube.
In a powerful scene, Zachary Quinto's character, Dr. Oliver Wolf, discusses treatment options with Ramati, who reacts with despair to the prospect of spending his final days connected to machines. "What's it matter? Nobody survives this," he declares. "We both know that, and I know how to take care of my family." This role allowed Dane to bring personal insight and visibility to the realities of living with ALS.
The swift and generous response to the GoFundMe campaign underscores the deep impact Eric Dane had on both his colleagues and the public, while highlighting the ongoing need for support for families affected by ALS.
