Eric DaneThe actor’s death at the age of 53 has left mourning for the beloved actor, who has been open about his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in recent months. His family confirmed the news in a statement, saying: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce that Eric Dane passed away Thursday afternoon after a courageous battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. He spent his final days surrounded by his dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world.”
while Gray’s Anatomy The young man remained legally married to his wife, Rebecca GayheartAt the time of his death, he was in a relationship with Janelle Chertcliffe In recent years. As tributes continued to pour in, Shirtcliff shared an emotional message honoring the late actor and reflecting on their time together.
Here’s what to know about Janelle and her relationship with Dane.
She is a photographer and filmmaker
Shirtcliff is a Texas-born filmmaker, photographer, and music video director who previously spent a decade modeling before building a respected creative career. Her photography has been featured in major outlets, and she has directed films and music videos.
In June 2025, Shirtcliff and Dane made their first red carpet appearance together at the Los Angeles premiere of his Amazon Prime series. the countdownalthough they kept their relationship largely private until his death.
She has two children
Shirtcliff has two children, including a son named Bowie, according to her biography.
In the tribute shared after Dane’s death, she posted intimate moments that included her child interacting with Dane — like a clip where her daughter encouraged him to smile while taking photos — underscoring the close bond her children shared with Dane in his final months.
She was in a relationship with Eric Dane in his later years
Shirtcliff and Dane were together on and off for about three years before his death in February 2026.
After being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, their relationship gained clarity when they walked the red carpet arm in arm in 2025, and Shirtcliff later shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram after his death that included candid photos and videos of their life together. The posts gave fans a personal look into their relationship.
Even while their relationship was public, Dane remained legally married to Gayheart, from whom he separated but later reconciled in part by declining divorce proceedings in 2025 amid his illness. In a December 2025 article for Pieces“, Gayheart described their relationship as deeply meaningful, even if it is no longer romantic.
“Eric knows I will always want the best for him.” Beverly Hills, 90210 alum wrote. “I’m going to do my best to do it right. And I know he’ll do the same for me… So, whatever I can do or how I can show up to make this journey better for him or easier for him, I want to do that. And I want to model that for my daughters: ‘This is what you do.’ “This is the right thing to do.”
Citing their daughters as a main reason behind their reconciliation, Gayheart also explained that she hopes to model maturity and compassion for their children, saying she wants them to see “two adults trying to be mature and focused on what’s important.”
