Grey’s Anatomy alum Katherine Heigl paid an emotional tribute to her former costar, Eric Dane, days after his untimely passing. The actress took to social media to reflect on her time with Dane, along with a deeply personal message.
Katherine Heigl pays tribute to Eric Dane
On Sunday, February 23, Katherine Heigl paid tribute to her former Grey’s Anatomy costar, Eric Dane. She posted an old photo of herself standing next to the late actor, accompanied by a heartfelt caption.
Heigl began the post, saying that she finds comfort in sharing vulnerable moments with her closest people or “with the heavens alone” rather than sharing them publicly. However, she then said that the lack of public acknowledgment could often look like a “lack of care,” which she’s not okay with.
The 47-year-old addressed Eric Dane’s wife, Rebecca, and kids, Billie and Georgia, and sympathized with them for their tragic loss. Heigl believes that “I’m sorries” and “my prayers are with you” might not soothe a family amid “so much pain and grief.”
Instead, she shared Robert Frost’s poem “Nothing Gold Can Stay.” The actress said she has the poem tattooed on her body, in her parents’ handwriting, to remind herself that “the moment of gold was worth it.”
The caption continued, “Nature’s first green is gold, her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf’s a flower, but only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, so dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay.”
The Firefly Lane actress said she’ll never forget “Eric’s gold” and “will forever be grateful” for the time she spent with him. She concluded, “God Speed, my old friend…here’s to your next great adventure.”
Eric Dane passed away on February 19, 2026, following his long battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). After being diagnosed with it in early 2025, the Grey’s Anatomy actor worked with I AM ALS, a patient-led nonprofit organization focused on raising awareness and accelerating research about the disease. He had hoped to raise over $1 billion within three years. Sadly, he passed away before they could achieve that milestone.
After the actor’s passing, Netflix posted Dane’s personal and final message to his daughters on his behalf.
Originally reported by Harsha Panduranga on ComingSoon.
