Eric Dane’s girlfriend, Janell Shirtcliff, is speaking out just days after the actor’s passing.
On Saturday (Feb. 21), Shirtcliff took to her Instagram Stories to share touching memories of their quiet relationship. The posts included a black-and-white photo of Dane getting a tattoo on his left arm, along with a sweet snapshot of him planting a kiss on the side of her head.
One especially heartwarming clip showed Dane bonding with one of Shirtcliff’s children. In the photo, he followed directions from her daughter during a playful mini photo shoot. “I want you to look over there at mom,” Shirtcliff’s child said before telling him to “smile.”
Take a look at some of Shirtcliff’s heartfelt tributes below.
Eric Dane and Janell Shirtcliff took their relationship public in June — just two months after he shared his devastating ALS diagnosis with the world. At the time, a source claimed the pair had been “in an on-and-off relationship for over three years” and that they cared “deeply for each other.”
“Eric asked Janell to be there for him during this time, and she wanted to show up for him.” the insider said, according to Entertainment Tonight.
When he passed, the actor was still legally married to Rebecca Gayheart.
Dane died on Feb. 19, just 10 months after revealing his ALS diagnosis. “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,” his family shared in a statement. “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. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time.”
In what would become his final interview, filmed before his death, Dane shared four powerful lessons he wanted his daughters to hold onto: that “the present is all you have,” to seek out love in their lives, to “find your people and allow them to find you,” and to remember they are strong enough to overcome anything.
