Mickey Rourke it is said Eric Dane was hospitalized a few days before his death in a deleted Instagram post.
“Erick quickly adds to this chronic disease that exists: NO CURE,” Rourke, 73, captioned a post shared on Sunday, February 15, according to a screenshot obtained Us Weekly. “THANK YOU FULLY TO HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN [sic] THEY ARE IN HIS TIME IN THE HOSPITAL HE WAS ARRIVED AT THE START OF THE WEEK.”
He added, “WHAT ERIC CAN DO IS PRAY HARD AND HOPE HE HAS SUFFERED. THERE’S REALLY NOTHING THE DR’S CAN DO JUST PRAY THAT ALL OF US WHO LOVE THIS MAN all my love and prayers brother.”
Caption accompanying the photo of Dane and his wife, Rebecca Gayheart. Us he reached out to Dane’s reps at the time.
On Thursday, February 19, news broke that Dane had died at the age of 53 following a battle with ALS.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share that Eric Dane passed away Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” his family said in a statement. Us. “He spent his last 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 to others facing the same battle. He will always be missed, and remembered fondly. Eric loved his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he received. The family has requested a moment of privacy as he navigates this impossible.”
Dane’s death came nearly a year after he went public with his ALS diagnosis. I Grey’s Anatomy alum announced the illness in a statement shared by People in April 2025.
“I was diagnosed with ALS,” he said at the time. “I am so grateful to have my loving family by my side as we look to this next chapter.”
Rourke was the only celebrity to speak out after Dane’s illness last year. Although it’s not clear how long they’ve been friends (some reports say their relationship spanned ten years), Rourke often took to Instagram with posts sharing Dane’s support throughout his battle with ALS.
“My man.” Eric Dane. You are in good hands. Losing love and riding horses in Texas. Eric is so “talented,” Rourke quoted in a September 2025 Instagram post. “Sending Eric love and best wishes. “”stay tuned brother…. L&R YER FRIEND. MICKEY.”
Months later, Rourke shared similar sentiments in different social media captions. (Both posts featured a photo of Dane alone.)
My specialty. A friend. You are talented. Eric Dane. “The wars are over. It’s very difficult. Illness,” he wrote in November 2025. “Giving a fun performance, you can put. “COURAGE. NET IN THIS NAME LEMANS, LOVE U BROTHER. YOUR BRAVE AND SPECIAL CAT.. LOBE& HONOR OF MADD. MICKEY..”” LOVEYA.”
