Johnny Depp's secret gesture to Eric Dane in final months before he died

Johnny Depp made a kind secret gesture to Eric Dane in the months before his death, a source has claimed.

The Euphoria actor died on Thursday afternoon (19 February) at the age of just 53, having been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2024.

His family said in a statement: "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 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.

"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."

Although he never shared the screen with Johnny Depp, the two became close after meeting through mutual friends, and the Pirates of the Caribbean icon also made sure that he was looked after amid financial struggles in the later months of his life.

Depp helped look after Dane as his health deteriorated (Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival)

Medical treatment in the US is famously expensive, with fellow TV actor James Van Der Beek also open about his family's financial struggles in the wake of his cancer diagnosis, which saw him pass away earlier this month.

Depp was reportedly keen to help in Dane's case and generously offered up one of his properties 'basically rent free' to the Grey's Anatomy star as his health deteriorated.

A source told the New York Post newspaper's Page Six column: "Eric [had] one less thing to worry about.

"[He was] living basically rent-free in one of the homes Johnny owns above the Sunset Strip. He told Eric to pay whatever he could or - couldn't for rent. Johnny wanted to do what he could to ease the financial burden."

Dane, who also appeared in Saved by the Bell, had been married to American actress and model Rebecca Gayheart since 2004.

Dane shared two daughters with his wife of more than 20 years (Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)

Despite his health deteriorating to the extent where he lost the function of his right arm, he will feature in the upcoming third season of Euphoria, with his character Cal Jacobs set to appear in a wheelchair.

He had previously stated that his ALS diagnosis had made him 'angry', while speaking to Good Morning America last year.

"My father was taken from me when I was young. And now, you know, there's a very good chance I'm going to be taken from my girls while they're very young," he had said.