Eric Dane’s loss of life at age 53 has left followers mourning the beloved actor, who had been open about his battle with IF in current months. His household confirmed the information in an announcement, saying, “With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane handed on Thursday afternoon following a brave battle with ALS. He spent his ultimate days surrounded by expensive associates, his devoted spouse, and his two lovely daughters, Billie and Georgia, who have been the middle of his world.”
Whereas the Gray’s Anatomy alum remained legally married to his spouse, Rebecca Gayhearton the time of his passing, he had been in a relationship with Janell Shirtcliff in recent times. As tributes proceed to pour in, Shirtcliff shared an emotional message honoring the late actor and reflecting on their time collectively.
Right here’s what to learn about Janell and her relationship with Dane.
She Is a Photographer and Filmmaker
Shirtcliff is a Texas-born filmmaker, photographer and music video director who beforehand spent a decade modeling earlier than constructing a revered artistic profession. Her pictures has been featured in main retailers, and she or he has directed movies and music movies.
In June 2025, Shirtcliff and Dane made their pink carpet debut collectively on the Los Angeles premiere of his Amazon Prime sequence Countdownalthough they largely stored their relationship personal till his loss of life.
She Has 2 Youngsters
Shirtcliff has two kids, together with a son named Bowie, in line with her bio.
In tributes shared after Dane’s loss of life, she posted intimate moments that included her little one interacting with Dane — comparable to a clip the place her daughter inspired him to smile whereas taking pictures — underscoring the shut bond shared between her youngsters and Dane in his ultimate months.
She Was in a Relationship With Eric Dane in His Ultimate Years
Shirtcliff and Dane have been collectively on and off for about three years main as much as his loss of life in February 2026.
Following his ALS prognosis, their relationship gained visibility once they walked a pink carpet arm in arm in 2025, and Shirtcliff later shared a heartfelt Instagram tribute after his passing that included candid pictures and movies of their life collectively. The posts supplied followers a private have a look at their connection.
At the same time as their relationship was public, Dane remained legally married to Gayheart, whom he had separated from however later reconciled with partly by dismissing divorce proceedings in 2025 amid his sickness. In a December 2025 essay for The LowerGayheart described their connection as deeply significant, even when not romantic.
“Eric is aware of that I’m all the time going to need the perfect for him,” the Beverly Hills, 90210 alum wrote. “That I’m going to do my finest to do proper by him. And I do know he would do the identical for me… So, no matter I can do or nevertheless I can present as much as make this journey higher for him or simpler for him, I wish to try this. And I wish to mannequin that for my women: ‘That’s what you do. That’s the precise factor to do.”
Citing their daughters as a key cause behind their reconciliation, Gayheart additionally defined that she hoped to mannequin maturity and compassion for his or her kids, saying she wished them to see “two adults who’re making an attempt to be mature and concentrate on what’s essential.”