Credit: Netflix

The world of entertainment recently bid a heartbreaking farewell to one of the most legendary actors showbiz has ever seen, Eric Dane. Following the news of his untimely demise, Netflix finally released Dane’s last words in its posthumous interview, Famous Last Words.

Best known for his roles in Grey’s Anatomy, Euphoria, The Last Ship, and The Fixer, among many others, Dane owned Tinseltown with confidence and charisma, unparalleled by anyone else. But when detached from his celebrity status, the actor likes to describe himself as “a rascal, as lonely, as detached, as resilient and persistent, sensitive, and empathetic, a good dad, and someone who was deeply in love with acting, his family, and his friends.”

For those unaware, Dane was suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurological disease that impacts muscle control. Yet, the physical struggles never stopped him from living every individual moment, despite acknowledging that there’s barely any excuse for him to be happy. While Dane reflected on his life and career with utmost candour and compassion, in the final part of the interview, host Brad Falchuk left the stage so the former could directly address the camera.

Dane didn’t just deliver his final thoughts publicly; he left a piece of his heart for his daughters, saying, “Billie and Georgia, these words are for you.” As he took time to look back at his life with his family and all those beach outings that now stay engraved in their memories forever, the actor revealed four lessons he learned from the disease, which he wants them to hear out loud.

“First, live now. Right now. In the present,” Dane said, acknowledging the difficulty that comes with it. Having been lost mentally for years, he felt like he had lost a lot of time “wallowing and worrying in self-pity, shame, and doubt.” He recalled second-guessing himself and replaying his decisions over and over again in his head. But having been forced to stay in the present, he realised there’s no place he’d rather be because “the past contains regret” and the “future remains unknown.”

Secondly, Dane advised his girls to fall in love. Even if it’s not a person, they must find their passion and joy – the thing that makes them want to get up in the morning, every day, without tiring. For Dane, his first love was acting, which eventually got him through the roughest patches of his life.

“I still love my work, I still look forward to it, I still want to get in front of a camera and play my part. My work doesn’t define me, but it excites me. Find something that excites you. Find your path, your purpose, your dream. Then go for it. Really go for it”.

Third, Dane hopes his daughters choose their friends wisely. “Find your people and allow them to find you. And then give yourselves to them. The best of them will give back to you. No judgment, no conditions, no questions asked,” he said, expressing gratitude towards his own friends and family who stuck through thick and thin.

Lastly, Dane encouraged his daughters to “fight with every ounce of your being, and dignity.” Even in the face of the greatest challenges, whether health or otherwise, all he wants is for his girls to never give up. “I hope I’ve demonstrated that you can face anything. You can face the end of your days. You can face hell with dignity. Fight, girls, and hold your heads high. Billie and Georgia, you are my heart. You are my everything. Good night. I love you. Those are my last words.”