Johnny Depp helped ease Eric Dane's financial worries in the months leading up to his death.
The Grey's Anatomy actor - who passed away on Thursday (19.02.26), at the age of 53, 10 months after he publicly shared his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) - met the Pirates of the Caribbean star through mutual friends years ago, and his pal kindly allowed Eric to live "basically rent-free" in one of his homes amid his health woes.
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.”
The family of the Euphoria actor - who had Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14, with wife Rebecca Gayheart - announced his death on Thursday (19.02.25).
They 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."
In his last public appearance at an I AM ALS virtual panel held in December 2025, Eric described living with ALS as "so horrible".
During the event, Eric reflected on his first onscreen role following his diagnosis in April 2025, drama Brilliant Minds, in which he played ALS patient Matthew, who struggled to tell his wife about his diagnosis.
Eric - who had lost the use of his right arm and hand by June 2025 - said: "I have no reason to be in a good spirit at any time, on any given day.
"I don't think anybody would blame me if I went upstairs in my bedroom, crawled under the sheets, and spent the next two weeks crying.
"And I was a little bit pleasantly surprised when I realised that I wasn't built like that, because I thought for sure that was gonna be me."
