GoFundMe For Eric Dane’s Daughters Sparks Mixed Reactions

A friend of the late actor recently created a GoFundMe to support the two children he shares with his widow, Rebecca Gayheart, but the fundraiser has received mixed reactions from the public.

Per PEOPLE, on Friday, February 20, a GoFundMe was created for Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart’s two daughters, Billie, 15, and Geraldine, 13, following his death on February 19.

The fundraiser, which to date has raised close to $159,000 of its $250,000 goal, stated the intent behind the money.

“As his illness progressed far more quickly than anyone could have imagined, Eric’s friends have come together to create this GoFundMe to support his girls and their future needs,” the fundraiser reads.

“Any contribution, no matter the size, will help provide stability during this incredibly difficult time and in the future for Eric’s wonderful daughters.”

“Is this the new trend, help an actor who passes young and does not prepare? How much is enough? Why always keep publishing it? He was a successful actor but if he was a regular guy it would not matter because no one but their family will care,” a commenter wrote on PEOPLE.

“Yeah this is actually getting out of hand,” another added. “Celebrities that are living in multi-million dollar houses that make millions of dollars and are worth millions of dollars asking average Joe’s to cough up money so their kids can maintain their lifestyles. No.”

“I understand that this is a sad situation for any family regardless, but I find it a little strange that these people who have lived a life that none of us have need money from people like us,” a third commenter wrote. “What about the people like us that this happens to everyday that don’t have gofundmes and the celebrity backing and status? It’s kind of pathetic.”

One commenter shared a different outlook, noting that both Van Der Beek and Dane’s families are dealing with loss:

“These two men just died and there is very real and raw grief being experienced by their families and loved ones. Critics should temper their comments and be respectful.”

“Here we go again… if you absolutely must give away your money, donate directly to ALS research,” a Reddit user wrote regarding the GoFundMe for Dane. “His friends can ‘afford’ to gift his daughters money. They don’t need his fans to do it,” another shared.

Some Redditors also pointed out Dane’s successful acting career, which netted him millions, specifically on “Grey’s Anatomy” and the upcoming third season of HBO’s “Euphoria.”

“This guy was on network TV for a decade raking in millions — what are we doing here?,” a Redditor commented.

“He literally filmed for euphoria when he was sick and it hasn’t even aired yet… idk how much he makes off that show but it’s pretty popular,” another user wrote. “And Grey’s anatomy? I feel for Rebecca and kids I really do but its not like they lost a bunch of income.”

Other Reddit users were less harsh and expressed their sympathy for the Dane family, but shared their discomfort with the GoFundMe.

“I’m so sorry for their loss. I loved him as an actor and feel for them. But this grifting behavior on people who make way less than they do has to stop,” a Redditor commented.

Another user added, “Look, I’m all for supporting families who suffer a huge loss, but maybe let’s start somewhere else first?”

On Thursday, February 19, 2026, Dane’s family confirmed his death after publicly announcing his ALS diagnosis in 2025.

“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” his family said via statement. “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.”

“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,” the statement continued.

“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,” the family shared.

Two months after he shared his diagnosis with the world, Eric Dane told E! News that ALS would not stop him from continuing his acting career.

“I’m going to ride this ’til the wheels fall off,” he told the outlet in June 2025. “It keeps me sharp. It keeps me moving forward, which is super important right now.”

“I feel great when I’m at work,” Dane added. “Of course, there have been some sort of setbacks, but I feel pretty good. My spirit is always pretty buoyant, so at the end of the day, that’s all that matters.”

In December 2025, Eric Dane announced his forthcoming memoir, “Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments,” set to be published by Maria Shriver’s imprint, The Open Field.

In a social media post announcing the memoir, Shriver stated she was honored to publish Dane’s memoir, thanking him for trusting her to tell his story.

“I want to capture the moments that shaped me — the beautiful days, the hard ones, the ones I never took for granted… If sharing this helps someone find meaning in their own days, then my story is worth telling,” Dane said in a statement.