Johnny Depp's Generous Gesture for Eric Dane in Final Months
In a touching display of Hollywood friendship, Johnny Depp provided fellow actor Eric Dane with a rent-free residence in one of his Los Angeles homes during Dane's courageous battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The Grey's Anatomy star, who passed away last Thursday at age 53, spent his final months living in the serene neighborhood above Sunset Strip without financial housing concerns thanks to Depp's compassionate intervention.
A Sanctuary During Health Crisis
Dane had been occupying the smaller of two neighboring properties owned by Depp, 62, in the exclusive hillside area overlooking Los Angeles. According to sources close to both actors, Depp specifically instructed Dane to pay only what he could afford—or nothing at all—for rent, effectively removing housing expenses from the actor's worries as he confronted the devastating neurodegenerative disease.
'Eric had one less thing to worry about,' revealed an insider familiar with the arrangement. 'He was living basically rent-free in one of the homes Johnny owns above the Sunset Strip. Johnny wanted to do what he could to ease the financial burden.'
Final Months Focused on Family and Advocacy
The housing arrangement allowed Dane to concentrate fully on his health, family, and passionate advocacy work for ALS awareness and research during what would become his final months. Dane had publicly revealed his ALS diagnosis just ten months before his passing, describing the condition as 'something so horrible' in what would become his final interview.
Despite the rapid progression of his symptoms—which began with weakness in his right hand in early 2024 and led to complete loss of arm function by June—Dane maintained an unexpectedly positive outlook. 'I have no reason to be in a good spirit at any time, on any given day,' he reflected two months before his death. '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.'
Hollywood Friendship Spanning Years
The two actors had developed their friendship through mutual connections years before Dane's diagnosis. Depp's gesture represented more than mere financial assistance—it provided Dane with stability and peace during an extraordinarily challenging period. Dane continued his advocacy work until the end, participating in virtual panels for organizations like I AM ALS and Synapticure, and taking on a meaningful acting role portraying a firefighter with ALS just months before his passing.
Family and Legacy
Dane's family confirmed his passing in a statement, noting 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.' The statement highlighted his transformation into 'a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight.'
Remarkably, Dane's estranged wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart, reportedly halted divorce proceedings upon learning of his diagnosis and recommitted to supporting him through his illness. 'We are best of friends. We are really close. We are great co-parents,' Gayheart explained recently. 'We really figured out the formula to staying a family.'
Industry Recognition and Impact
The ALS Network honored Dane as their 2025 Advocate of the Year, posting a tribute that acknowledged his 'courage in the face of ALS' which 'inspired millions.' The organization noted that Dane's 'strength, honesty, and compassion helped the world better understand what families facing ALS endure every day.'
While life expectancy for ALS patients typically ranges from three to five years, Dane's decline progressed more rapidly. Through it all, Depp's provision of housing security represented a significant practical support that allowed the actor to focus on what mattered most during his final chapter.
