Mickey Rourke claimed Eric Dane was hospitalized days before his death in a since-deleted Instagram post.
“Erick is adding quickly this is an incurable nightmare disease there is : NO CURE,” Rourke, 73, captioned the post shared on Sunday, February 15, according to a screenshot obtained by Us Weekly. “THANK FULLY HIS WIFE AND CHILDERN [sic] ARE BY HIS SIDE AT THE HOSPITAL WHERE HE WAS RUSHED TO EARLY SUNDAY.”
He added, “ALL WE CAN DO FOR ERIC IS PRAY HARD AND HOPE HES MOT SUFFERING. HOD BLESS THIS MAN WITH THIS ” NIGHTMARE DISEASE. THERE IS NOTHING DR’S CAN DO REALLY JUST PRAY THATS ALL ANY OF US WHO LOVE THIS MAN all my love and prayers my brother.”
The caption went along with a photo of Dane and his wife, Rebecca Gayheart. Us reached out to Dane’s reps at the time.
News broke on Thursday, February 19, that Dane died at age 53 following a battle with ALS.
“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” his family confirmed in a statement to Us. “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 continued, “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.”
Dane’s death came nearly one year after going public with his ALS diagnosis. The Grey’s Anatomy alum announced the illness with a statement shared via People in April 2025.
“I have been diagnosed with ALS,” he said at the time. “I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.”
Rourke was just one celebrity who spoke out in the wake of Dane’s illness over the past year. While it’s unclear how long they were friends (some reports claim their relationship spanned a decade), Rourke often took to Instagram with posts sharing support for Dane throughout his ALS battle.
“My man. ” Eric Dane. Is in good hands. Getting lost of love and Riding Horses in Texas. Eric is a very “” talented,” Rourke captioned a September 2025 Instagram post. “Sending Erick love and best wishes. “” stay in the ” saddle my brother…. L& R YER FRIEND. MICKEY.”
Months later, Rourke shared similar sentiments in a separate social media caption. (Both posts featured a solo photo of Dane.)
My very special. Friend. Talented. Eric Dane. ” Battles through. Very tough. Illness,” he wrote in November 2025. “To give a riveting performance, you can put. “COURAGE. NET TO THIS MANS NAME, LOVE U BROTHER. YOUR A BRAVE AND SPECIAL CAT.. LOBE& MADD RESPECT. MICKEY..”” LOVEYA.”
