Eric Dane spoke about his legacy and his ALS battle in a wide-ranging interview that aired after his death at 53. "It's a weird concept to grapple with, you and I talking here right now, and we're both very alive," Dane told Brad Falchuk in a Famous Last Words interview, which dropped via Netflix on Friday, February 20. "And at the same time, when this exists, if it ever does, I won't be here. It's kind of cool, I think." He continued, "It's just the idea of living on past the moment when you peace out. It's pretty interesting to me ... speaking from the dead." Us Weekly confirmed on Thursday, February 19, that Dane died at the age of 53 following a battle with ALS. The Grey's Anatomy and Euphoria star is survived by his two daughters, whom he shared with Rebecca Gayheart. Eric Dane Predicted How 2 Daughters Would Remember Him Before His Death at 53 "I've always had a sense of humor about this," Dane said of his diagnosis. "It's really kind of interesting what's happening to my body. The mechanics of this disease is pretty interesting to me. It's when you zoom in and look at how it affects the individual moments is when it can actually bring you down a little bit." Despite the physical changes that came with ALS, Dane remained in positive spirits. Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images "My spirit has been surprisingly pretty buoyant through this journey," he said. "I have no idea, there's no reason for me to be happy in any individual moment, but I am. The progression of this thing is really just remarkable. You know, I'm pretty sure I sound pretty good too, but to me, I feel like I sound like a frog." Keep scrolling for more of Dane's ruminations on legacy, his health battle and more in his final interview: Thoughts on His Eventual Death "I have a controversial relationship with the universe right now," Eric Dane acknowledged on Famous Last Words. "I think when the lights go out, it's over. I don't believe that there's another place for our souls to go. I think people believe that stuff because it provides them with a lot of comfort, but I've really come to grips with it." He continued, "I think, once the lights go out, out with the old, in with the new. I think [I've always believed that]. I do believe that when we go to sleep or however we go, once we're gone, we're gone. We live on in the memories of the people that will miss us." A Career to be Proud of Eric Dane starred on hit shows Charmed, Grey's Anatomy, Euphoria and The Last Ship throughout his career. "I'm proud of it. All of it got me to where I am today," he said after Brad Falchuk read off Dane's personal and professional biography. "There was a ton of experience in there. Life experience, personal, professional. I think when I really tried to be good and approached the craft with a certain amount of effort and focus that I was capable of doing some pretty good work." When Life Imitates Art Eric Dane recalled how he "put a lot of effort" into his Euphoria character of Cal Jacobs. "Well, Cal and I are very similar in that we know what it's like to lead a double life," he said. "I've had experience with that with my battle with drugs and alcohol. I know what it's like to not have my insides match my outside." Dane hinted that he found some inspiration for his Euphoria role from his father, who died by suicide when the actor was young. "I think my father struggled with life and he never felt like he was enough," he said. "I don't think somebody who's that intoxicated would play with a gun in a bathroom by themselves for fun. So, I think my father in that moment meant to do it. I kept thinking about how lonely my father must have been and how scared he must have been. It's heartbreaking." He added, "I could feel lonely in a crowded room. I've always felt detached from my peers. I've historically had a very difficult time connecting with people. And you know, four months after my father died, my [maternal] grandmother died, who I lived with. Very close. That was almost as impactful, maybe more so than my dad. She really took care of me. She was great, man, she was so much fun." Jensen Ackles and More Celebrities React to Eric Dane's Death at 53 Coping With His Father's Death Eric Dane was 7 years old when his father died. "I ended up going to a treatment center for trauma and depression, solely related to my dad 'cause that's where the trauma came from," he said in Famous Last Words. "Shutting off, don't feel, be strong to me, man. Don't feel, don't cry. I wanted to explode, but I had to keep it in." Dane further noted that he used to write letters to his late date. "Not so much lately," he said. "I think I've found real peace around it. It still makes me feel, but I've really found some peace around it." Where Eric Dane Stood With Rebecca Gayheart Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart were married from 2004 to 2018 before she filed for divorce. Gayheart withdrew her petition in 2025 shortly before Dane announced his ALS diagnosis. "Well, their mother and I are no l