breaking
Eric Dane's official cause of death confirmed as respiratory failure
His death certificate has been obtained
Eric Dane's cause of death has been given as respiratory failure, according to his death certificate.
People reports they've obtained the actor's death certificate which they say confirms that Dane, 53, died of respiratory failure and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was given as an underlying cause of death.
Dane had passed away on 19 February with his family releasing a statement confirming the sad news, saying: "With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS.
"He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world.
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"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.
"He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time."
The Grey's Anatomy star had announced his ALS diagnosis last year and worked to raise awareness of the disease for which there is no cure.
Speaking about his first symptoms, Dane said he 'started experiencing some weakness in my right hand' but thought little of it at the time as he put it down to feeling fatigued.
However, a few weeks later he 'noticed it had gotten a little worse' and realised the pain wasn't going away by itself, with him being referred to a series of specialists for the next nine months before he was finally diagnosed with ALS.
The degenerative disease affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
It's a progressive disease that often starts with muscle twitching and weakness, but eventually sufferers lose control of the muscles needed to move, speak, eat and breathe.
The causes of the disease are unknown and there is no known cure.
The actor explained that by summer 2025 his right arm had 'completely stopped working' and he could feel his left arm weakening at that point too.
He recounted a scary experience where he was swimming in the sea and had to be rescued by his daughter as he couldn't make it back to the boat by himself.
Dale said his diagnosis had made him 'angry' since he'd lost his own father at a young age and that because of ALS there was a 'very good chance I'm going to be taken from my girls while they're very young'.
The actor is survived by his daughters 15-year-old Billie and Georgia, 14, who he shares with his wife Rebecca Gayheart.
The couple had separated several years ago but following his diagnosis they ended divorce proceedings as she said she wanted to teach their daughters to 'show up for family', especially 'when times are at their worst'.
Joe Harker