Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
“I Thought He Was Married”: Eric Dane’s Girlfriend Speaks Out After Actor’s Passing
Just days after Eric Dane’s passing due to his ALS battle, his reported girlfriend Janell Shirtcliff broke her silence and mourned the loss of Euphoria star.
Shirtcliff, a filmmaker and photographer, shared a series of intimate photos and videos on Instagram, showing the late actor smiling, holding her hand, laughing in the car, and even posing playfully as her daughter directed him during a mini photo shoot.
Highlights
- Filmmaker Janell Shirtcliff broke her silence by sharing intimate photos and videos of Eric Dane.
- The revelation sparked controversy as fans pointed to Dane’s final interview, where he stated he would never love another woman as deeply as his wife, Rebecca Gayheart.
- Social media erupted in a heated clash, with some labeling Shirtcliff's post "distasteful" and disrespectful to Dane's family.
- A GoFundMe set up for Dane’s daughters ignited a separate firestorm.
Though her tribute was personal, it was enough to spark a wave of confusion and controversy among online users.
RELATED:
Janell Shirtcliff shared private moments from her relationship with Eric Dane
Image credits: janellshirtcliff
Image credits: callmetunde_
On February 21, Shirtcliff posted what appeared to be deeply personal memories of her relationship with Dane.
The photos featured Dane planting a kiss on her temple, the two holding hands under palm trees, and a candid video of him asking, “Are you taking videos?” before laughing.
The pair had made their red-carpet debut together in 2025 at the “Countdown” premiere, though reports suggested they had been in an on-and-off relationship for over three years.
Image credits: janellshirtcliff
Image credits: truestoryhub
Image credits: Carey3060831622
As reported by Bored Panda, Dane remained legally married to Rebecca Gayheart until his passing. Although Gayheart filed for divorce in 2018, she dismissed the petition in March 2025, just one month before Dane publicly revealed his ALS diagnosis. She later described their bond as “familial,” saying they had become better friends and co-parents.
In his final Netflix interview for “Famous Last Words”, Dane made it clear how he felt about her.
Image credits: janellshirtcliff
Image credits: Amira_Noc
Image credits: shahartley
“We still love each other deeply,” he said. “I will have never… fallen in love with another woman as deeply as I fell in love with Rebecca. She’s the mother of my children.”
That quote quickly resurfaced once Shirtcliff’s tribute went viral.
“Girlfriend? I thought he was married and even spoke about his wife in his Famous Last Words episode,” one person wrote.
Another added, “Didn’t he say in an interview his wife was always the love of his life?”
The internet was divided, as some called Shirtcliff’s tribute “distasteful” while others defended her
Image credits: janellshirtcliff
Image credits: janellshirtcliff
As news of Shirtcliff’s tribute spread, the comment sections turned chaotic.
“Boy guy’s body still warm and already you’re spreading rumours. Have some shame!” one user snapped.
“Distasteful. She should’ve kept her side chick shenanigans to herself. Disrespecting his wife and children after his death is gross,” another wrote.
Image credits: AdekemiAnn123
Image credits: Tat52269008
Others questioned the timeline of his relationships, “Damn, he had a girlfriend? He said he would never love anyone as much as his wife.”
But not everyone was critical, as some defended Shirtcliff for her right to grieve the loss.
“The people closest to loss are always the last ones who should have to say anything publicly and the first ones the world looks to. Whatever she shared took courage,” one commenter wrote.
Another tried to clarify, “Him and his wife split since 2018. She just decided to stick by him in his sickness. They have both dated since their split.”
Beyond the debate over the girlfriend, a few commenters sparked an online conversation surrounding GoFundMe.
The GoFundMe for Eric Dane sparked a separate debate among online viewers
Image credits: janellshirtcliff
Image credits: janellshirtcliff
Shortly after Dane’s passing, friends launched a GoFundMe campaign with a $250,000 goal to support his daughters’ future needs. Within days, over $170,000 had been raised, including a major donation from “Euphoria” creator Sam Levinson.
Despite that, the fundraiser ignited another round of criticism from netizens.
“Yeah, he was a steady working actor. I like him, but the GoFundMe for him is ridiculous,” one person commented.
“Why are famous people creating GoFundMes all of a sudden? Like, this man has been on television and in movies for years,” another wrote.
Image credits: Chattythoughts
Image credits: janellshirtcliff
The debate mirrored the controversy that followed a fundraiser set up for the family of James Van Der Beek after his passing on February 11. At the time, critics questioned why a former Hollywood leading man would need to resort to crowdfunding at all.
Supporters, however, argued that medical expenses, especially long-term battles like ALS or cancer, can deplete even successful actors’ finances.
“If even celebrities run out of money when they’re sick… what happens to the rest of us?” one commenter asked.
Dane left behind two daughters, Billie and Georgia, and an estranged wife, Rebecca Gayheart.
“He may have a girlfriend, but his heart belonged to his wife,” wrote one netizen
Poll Question
Total votes ·
Thanks! Check out the results:
Total votes ·
Newsletter
Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls
By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.
Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!
Explore more of these tags
What do you think ?
winterwidow87 2 weeks ago (edited)
So him and his wife split in 2018 and people are mad he was seeing someone else, (despite the ex wife doing the same thing), and are telling this person she can't share her memories with him because it's somehow disrespectful? People really have too much time on their hands.
Binky Melnik 2 weeks ago
After the very disheartening “Leopards ate my face article,” now we have ninnies chiming in and broadcasting their stupidity about relationships they know nothing about and looking even more stupid, so much so that I’m wishing leopards would eat their faces. “D**n, he had a girlfriend? He said he would never love anyone as much as his wife” as if those two unrelated sentences mean something other than “I don’t know how to use my brain.” Judging people we don’t know for their choices we don’t understand does NO ONE any good. There is NO benefit to ANYONE saying whatever comes to their empty heads. I wish people would simply be grateful they’re not in these situation and keep their opinions to themselves as they have NO value to anyone. Argh. It’s all just so sad. ALS is incredibly awful and difficult, and chiding those involved isn’t helpful at all. 😰
Load More Replies...
LinkTheHylian 2 weeks ago
I don't know how famous Eric Dane was, but the Internet says he was Doc McSteamy (?) on Grey's Anatomy, so unless he was c**p with his finances and died destitute I don't think his family are going to have money issues.
Binky Melnik 2 weeks ago
Huge diseases like ALS can bankrupt even the wealthy in the US. Even people who are fantastic with their money can be driven to the poorhouse trying to pay for treatment. Having said all this, though, I recommend not speculating on how much money people have, how they spend it, what their expenses are, and so forth, or speculate all you want but keep it to yourself lest you come off looking bad.
Load More Replies... winterwidow87 2 weeks ago (edited)
So him and his wife split in 2018 and people are mad he was seeing someone else, (despite the ex wife doing the same thing), and are telling this person she can't share her memories with him because it's somehow disrespectful? People really have too much time on their hands.
Binky Melnik 2 weeks ago
After the very disheartening “Leopards ate my face article,” now we have ninnies chiming in and broadcasting their stupidity about relationships they know nothing about and looking even more stupid, so much so that I’m wishing leopards would eat their faces. “D**n, he had a girlfriend? He said he would never love anyone as much as his wife” as if those two unrelated sentences mean something other than “I don’t know how to use my brain.” Judging people we don’t know for their choices we don’t understand does NO ONE any good. There is NO benefit to ANYONE saying whatever comes to their empty heads. I wish people would simply be grateful they’re not in these situation and keep their opinions to themselves as they have NO value to anyone. Argh. It’s all just so sad. ALS is incredibly awful and difficult, and chiding those involved isn’t helpful at all. 😰
Load More Replies... LinkTheHylian 2 weeks ago
I don't know how famous Eric Dane was, but the Internet says he was Doc McSteamy (?) on Grey's Anatomy, so unless he was c**p with his finances and died destitute I don't think his family are going to have money issues.
Binky Melnik 2 weeks ago
Huge diseases like ALS can bankrupt even the wealthy in the US. Even people who are fantastic with their money can be driven to the poorhouse trying to pay for treatment. Having said all this, though, I recommend not speculating on how much money people have, how they spend it, what their expenses are, and so forth, or speculate all you want but keep it to yourself lest you come off looking bad.
Load More Replies... You May Like “Highest Earners In The World Begging For Money”: Fundraiser For Eric Dane’s Kids Faces Backlash "Eric Dane Deserved What He Is Getting Now": Actress Brutally Attacks Late Star On Social Media “Should All Be Hiding In Shame”: 10 Celebrity Moments That Sparked Controversy At The BAFTAs
Karina Babenok
Karina Babenok
Gabija Saveiskyte
Related on Bored Panda
10
5