Credit: Alamy & @janellshirtcliff/Instagram
Eric Dane’s Girlfriend Breaks Silence In Now-Deleted Posts Following Grey’s Anatomy Star’s Death
Eric Dane’s girlfriend has broken her silence in a now-deleted Instagram post following his death, after being snubbed from his wife’s tribute.
Fans were heartbroken last week when the star’s wife, Rebecca Gayheart, announced that the 53-year-old Grey’s Anatomy star had passed away following a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Tributes have since flooded in from every corner of social media, as devastated celebrities and fans grieve the enormous loss.
Maria Shriver, journalist and former First Lady of California, was among those to share her feelings publicly, sharing her heartbreak at the news.
She wrote: “Godspeed, Eric. It was an honor to know you, and we will honor your story.”
One fan wrote: “Rest in peace, Dr. McSteamy!”
As another added: “Mr. Eric Dane. Thank you for sharing your craft over the years. Rest In Peace.”
“He left an unforgettable mark on TV history, he will be deeply missed by fans worldwide,” a third said.
Announcing his death just days ago (February 20), Dane’s wife Rebecca wrote: “With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon.
“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.”
But now Dane’s girlfriend, with whom he had been in a relationship in the years leading up to his death, has broken her silence.
The role that changed everything
After landing roles throughout the 1990s and early 2000s on series such as Saved by the Bell, Roseanne, and Charmed, Dane’s big break came in 2006, when he was cast in the medical drama.
Dane joined the series as Dr. Mark Sloan, a plastic surgeon whose easy confidence and undeniable swagger masked his layered and emotionally complex core.
Originally, the role was meant to last only a single episode – a brief guest appearance expected to make little lasting impact, but that plan quickly changed.
Viewers connected instantly with his performance, responding with an outpouring of enthusiasm that transformed a short-term role into something much bigger.
Dr. Sloan – swiftly nicknamed ‘McSteamy’ by the show’s loyal fans – soon became a series regular.
What was intended to be a brief stint evolved into one of the drama’s most iconic and enduring characters.
Eric Dane’s wife describes his final days
Rebecca, who married Dane in 2004, confirmed that the actor had spent his final days surrounded by close friends, herself, and his two daughters, Billie and Georgia, whom he adored above all else.
“He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered always,” her statement read.
“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 emotional tribute to wife in final interview
The actor opened up about his lasting love for Rebecca in his Netflix special, Famous Last Words: Eric Dane.
He said: “I will have never, by the time anyone sees this, fallen in love with another woman as deeply as I fell in love with Rebecca.”
With the tribute to Dane excluding his girlfriend and this separate comment about his wife circulating, eyebrows have been raised regarding his relationship with Janell Shirtcliff.
Marriage, separation, and a public romance
Fans of the star were understandably shocked when, despite being married, Dane stepped out with filmmaker Shirtcliff at a premiere in June 2025.
A source later told Entertainment Tonight that same day, the couple had been ‘in an on-and-off relationship’ for more than three years.
So, what’s the context?
After tying the knot in 2004 and having two children together, Rebecca filed for divorce from Dane in 2018, though the case never progressed.
Then, in March 2025, just a month before Eric publicly revealed his ALS diagnosis, which subsequently led to his death, Rebecca requested to dismiss her divorce filing.
The actress later confirmed that she and Dane remained married and are ‘the best of friends.’
Meanwhile, Dane was publicly dating Shirtcliff – a dynamic which seemed to work for the couple.
Dane’s girlfriend breaks her silence following his death
Shirtcliff posted a now-deleted emotional photo dump to her Instagram, from the couple’s time spent together.
The photos showed the two holding hands, laughing, and posing for memorable moments.
She shared the sweet collection of photos on her Instagram Story, which have since expired.
Shirtcliff was seemingly left out of the tribute written by his wife, prompting the 42-year-old to post her own.
Referencing the tribute shared by Dane’s wife, one person wrote on his girlfriend’s Instagram: “I’m very sorry for your loss. I don’t like that they have ignored you in this way. You deserve respect for sharing three years together with Eric. Cheer up!”
Another referenced Dane’s final interview and declaration of love for his wife, penning: “To have a whole girlfriend, pass away, and not mention her at all in the last interview but focus on the deep love for your previous wife would hurt me SO bad. Not only did she lose him but she now gets to be disregarded after the fact. I felt bad for him but now I feel bad for Janell.”
Related Article: Grey’s Anatomy Star Calls Eric Dane ‘Pure Evil’ Days After His Death
Related Article: James Van Der Beek And Eric Dane Fans Outraged After They Were ‘Disrespected’ At Film & TV Awards
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