Eric Dane used his 'final words' to prepare his daughters for life without him

Eric Dane, the "Euphoria" star, passed away on February 19 at the age of 53, after a long battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). After his death, Netflix released his final interview through a controversial docuseries, "Famous Last Words," which now serves as his last message to the world, especially his two daughters, Billie and Georgia. Dane recalled his fondest memories with his kids and shared four life lessons he learned only after being hit by a devastating health crisis. "I hope you don’t just listen to me; I hope you’ll hear me," the "Countdown" actor said, hoping his daughters follow his advice after he's gone. 

"I stumbled sometimes, but I tried," Dane confessed, admitting that he might have failed at times as a father, but his love and efforts were genuine. He then recalled the good times they spent together at the beach. "I see you now playing in the ocean for hours, my water babies. Those days, pun intended, were heaven," Dane said. The actor then asked his daughters to always live in the present, no matter how hard it got. Dane explained that he spent years in self-pity, shame, and doubt; he often wasted time thinking about what he shouldn't have done. But ever since he was diagnosed with the disease, he said he was forced to live in the present. "The past contains regrets. The future remains unknown. So you have to live now. The present is all you have. Treasure it. Cherish every moment," Dane said. The actor then asked his daughters to prioritize falling in love, not necessarily with a person, but to find joy and passion in something that makes them happy. Dane confessed he fell for acting when he was around his daughters' age, and that love helped him through the dark phases of his life. 

"Choose your friends wisely," Dane told his daughters, asking them to surrender to the friends who help them grow in life without judgment or conditions. Dane also confessed how his close friends and family had stepped up for him even though he lost his ability to do the little things he used to do before being diagnosed with ALS. "They don't do anything special, they just show up. That's a big one," he added. Last but most importantly, Dane asked his daughters never to give up in life. "This disease is slowly taking my body, but it will never take my spirit," Dane confessed. He acknowledged that his daughters are very different from each other, but both are strong individuals who inherited "resilience" from him. "I hope I have demonstrated that you can face anything. You can face the end of your days. You can face hell with dignity. Fight, girls, and hold your heads high," Dane said, before expressing his love for his kids. 

Researchers Ka Hei Man and Grace W. K. Ho conducted a cross-sectional survey of 114 cancer survivors from Hong Kong. All the participants were at least 18 years old and had finished radiotherapy within the previous 3 years (2021-2024). The researchers assessed their mental health using the Chinese Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale and optimism using the Revised Life Orientation Test. In the end, they found that participants with high optimism scores had lower depression, anxiety, and stress levels.

Likewise, another research on public sector employees also found a direct link between optimism and overall well-being. Researchers surveyed 38,214 public sector employees who did not have depression at the start. Then, the researchers measured how optimistic or pessimistic they were before following the respondents for 4 years. A total of 287 people reported depression so serious that they had to take long-term sick leave. Out of those, 164 (57%) people returned to work during the study period. Now the researchers found that optimistic people were 37% more likely to return to work after being on depression leave. This means, as Dane said, optimism and the willpower to never give up do indeed help people navigate through difficult times.

Meanwhile, netizens were left teary-eyed watching Dane mention his daughters in his final speech to the world; for instance, @acedailyx commented, "There’s something about a parent choosing their last words for their children that hits in a place you can’t really explain; that kind of strength doesn’t shout, it just stays with you." Similarly, @grizemanI wrote, "Facing the end with that kind of grace and love is something not many people can do. Those words will stay with his daughters forever." @anikaflicks said, "Heartbreaking and powerful words from Eric Dane." In "Famous Last Words," he leaves a message of strength, dignity, and love, especially for his daughters; A reminder to fight, stay proud, and hold your head high.

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