Rebecca Gayheart paid tribute to Eric Dane in several Instagram Stories on November 9, what would have been the actor's 54th birthday. Dane died at the age of 53 earlier this year.

The 55-year-old actress shared a black-and-white throwback photo of him smiling while holding their daughters, Billie and Georgia, in his arms. She drew a heart over the picture and wrote, "Happy heavenly birthday," accompanied by an angel-wing emoji. The post featured the song "DADZ LOVE" by Justin Bieber and Lil B.

In another Story, Gayheart shared a photo of a cake decorated with strawberries, berries, and green frosting. She added the message, "Happy Birthday Dane."

Billie Dane Remembers Her Father With a Beach Photo

Billie also remembered her father on what would have been his birthday. The 16-year-old shared an older beach photo of herself with Dane on Instagram Stories.

She accompanied the picture with a heartfelt message: "Missing you more than I could have ever imagined, I love you, happy birthday dada."

In addition to Billie, Dane and Gayheart also shared a younger daughter, Georgia, who is 14. Both girls appeared in their mother's birthday tribute, which featured a cherished family memory.

Eric Dane Died in February After His ALS Diagnosis

Eric Dane died on February 19, 2026, at the age of 53. In April 2025, the 'Grey's Anatomy' actor had publicly revealed that he was living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

His family's birthday tributes marked the first birthday since his passing. The photographs shared by Gayheart and Billie offered a glimpse into their personal memories of the actor and the special bond he shared with his daughters.

Rebecca Gayheart Spoke About Her Family's Life in September

In late September, Rebecca Gayheart opened up about how she and her daughters were coping with their loss at the 2026 Step Up Annual Inspiration Awards.

She told People that the family was "hanging in there" and doing their best during what she described as a challenging time. She also explained that both girls were now in high school, making it especially important for her to stay close to them.

Gayheart added that spending time with her children and staying connected to friends and other people helped her through difficult moments.

Married Since 2004, Their Divorce Was Never Finalized

Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart married in 2004 and separated in 2018, when Gayheart filed for divorce after more than 13 years of marriage. However, their divorce was never finalized.

In March 2025, Gayheart requested that the divorce petition be dismissed. The couple remained legally married until Dane's death in February 2026.

Despite their separation, they continued to share a family life while raising their two daughters, Billie and Georgia.