Priya Jain, the former girlfriend of actor Eric Dane, has made her first public comments regarding the death of the Grey's Anatomy star, who passed away at age 53 following a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
The 28-year-old actress spoke to reporters outside The Abbey, a West Hollywood establishment, on Friday, March 13. When asked about her emotional state, Jain responded simply: "I'm processing."
Reflecting on her time with Dane, Jain expressed difficulty in selecting a single favorite memory, stating "All of them!" when questioned about her most cherished moments with the late actor. She went on to describe Dane as "a great guy" and emphasized her appreciation for his children, who she believes will preserve his legacy.
"Eric was a great guy ... I'm glad his kids are there to keep his legacy alive," Jain stated. "He was a great guy. It's just awful."
Dane's family confirmed his death on February 19, nearly one year after the actor publicly announced his ALS diagnosis. According to the Mayo Clinic, ALS is a nervous system disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing progressive loss of muscle control over time.
In a statement released at the time of his passing, Dane's family disclosed that 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." The statement further noted that Dane had become a passionate advocate for ALS awareness and research during his illness.
Jain demonstrated her support for Dane's family through a substantial financial contribution. On February 24, she donated $10,000 to a GoFundMe fundraiser established by friends of the Dane family. The fundraiser, which lists Rebecca Gayheart as beneficiary, has raised more than $489,000 as of publication.
The relationship between Jain and Dane began in November 2024 and lasted nearly one year. Jain, an actress who appeared alongside Josh Duhamel in the 2025 film Not Without Hope, reportedly maintained a friendship with Dane following their romantic relationship's conclusion.
Sources close to the situation indicated that the former couple had reconnected as friends in the months preceding Dane's death. "In the months leading up to Eric's passing Priya and Eric reconnected their relationship as friends," a source revealed. "It was more important for them to remain friends [following their split]."
Insiders suggested that Jain was unprepared for the rapidity of Dane's decline, as he had only publicly disclosed his ALS diagnosis in April 2025. Sources indicated that Jain maintained "so much love" for Dane and understood the profound impact of his loss on his daughters.
Dane's wife, Rebecca Gayheart, also spoke publicly about the loss earlier this week. Despite the couple's separation in February 2018, they never finalized a divorce. On Wednesday, March 11, Gayheart, 54, described her family as being in "a state of shock" and acknowledged the overwhelming support from the entertainment community.
"It's been challenging and meaningful, and people are kind," Gayheart stated. "I'm having trouble receiving all of the support and love coming at me from every which way because of Eric and the [entertainment] community that's so generous with their time."
Gayheart praised the Hollywood community for their continued support, noting that friends and family "have been holding me and the girls up the last two weeks, and I don't think they're going anywhere. I think they're in it for the long haul."
The actor's death has prompted an outpouring of grief and support from fans, colleagues, and loved ones, underscoring the impact he made both personally and professionally throughout his career.
