Eric Dane's little-known girlfriend shares photos with late actor as co-star breaks silence on his death

Eric Dane's girlfriend, with whom he went public during his battle with motor neurone disease, has left a touching photographic tribute to the late star after his death on Friday (AEDT).

Janell Shirtcliff and the actor appeared on a red carpet in June 2025, two months after he revealed he had been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), as it is known in the US.

The couple debuted their relationship at the premiere of the series Countdown, in what was to be Dane's final red carpet appearance before succumbing to the disease.

At the time they unveiled the relationship, Priya Jain said she was blindsided by the red carpet outing amid claims she too had been dating the actor and was not aware they had broken up.

Neither Jain nor Shirtcliff were mentioned in the statement announcing Dane's death at 53.

Dane had been married to actress Rebecca Gayheart since 2004.

The couple, who shared two daughters, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13, separated in 2018, but their planned divorce was put on hold after his diagnosis.

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He was reportedly in an on-again, off-again relationship with Shirtcliff, a photographer and director, for up to three years prior to their red carpet outing.

It is not known if they were still a couple at the time of his death.

However, she took to her Instagram Story overnight to share a series of photos and a video from their time together, many of which appear to have been taken after his diagnosis.

They included photos of the star both alone and with Shirtcliff, whom he was seen kissing on the head and shoulder, as well as Dane with a pony and another one of him getting a tattoo on his arm.

A video was also included of them singing as she drove them around.

Dane's death was announced on Friday (AEDT) in a statement shared with People.

"With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS," the statement said.

"He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the centre of his world.

"Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight."

In the days since then, many Hollywood heavyweights and former co-stars have left tributes to the actor.

Among them was his Grey's Anatomy co-star Kate Walsh, who broke her silence with a post on Instagram in which she praised his "sensitivity and vulnerability", and recalled their first meeting on set.

Walsh's character Dr Addison Montgomery had a torrid affair with Dane's Dr Mark 'McSteamy' Sloan on the show.

"I'm at a loss for words to try to express the sadness around Eric's passing," she wrote.

"First and foremost I am thinking of his girls and Rebecca and holding them in my prayers and my heart.

"I literally remember my very first scene with Eric… an elevator scene at Seattle Greys.

"I believe it was his first scene on the show too and he was nervous.

"He was so handsome and I thought 'But can this guy act?' and of course he could, and did, and the rest is history."

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Walsh said one of the things she loved about Eric was his "sensitivity and vulnerability, (and intelligence, of course)".

"But he had the gravitas and old soul that made his work magnetic and made him a great friend off set."

She said that as was the case with TV shows back then, the cast "spent more time with each other than with anyone else, and so we became a family of sorts".https://www.instagram.com/p/DVAKtIyEf4N/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

"Eric was such a source of support and love. ALS is an awful disease and too many people have lost loved ones to it," she wrote.

"I know it was Eric's mission to help find a cure. I would encourage you to look into @targetals in his memory."

Meanwhile, friends of Dane's have set up a GoFundMe following the actor's death to raise money for his daughters, who were described as "the centre of his world".

"Following his diagnosis, Eric became a passionate spokesperson for the ALS community, using his voice and platform to advocate for fellow patients and to push for greater awareness," it said.

"Even as his own health declined, he remained deeply committed to helping others facing the same devastating disease.

"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.

"Any contribution, no matter the size, will help provide stability during this incredibly difficult time and in the future for Eric's wonderful daughters."

As at today, the fund has raised $212,000 of a targeted $250,000.

Dane recorded a final message to his two daughters in the lead-up to his death.

The almost five-minute long message was released yesterday by streaming service Netflix and ended with the words, "Billie and Georgia, you are my heart. You are my everything. Good night. I love you. Those are my last words."

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