Rebecca Gayheart said her family is “still in a state of shock”

Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart.Credit : Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Rebecca Gayheart is reflecting on how Eric Dane spent his final weeks.

The late actor’s widow, 54, recently spoke with Variety about a project Dane was working on shortly before he died on Feb. 19 at the age of 53, just 10 months after going public with his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis.

Gayheart shared that the Grey’s Anatomy alum collaborated with artificial intelligence firm ElevenLabs to restore his ability to communicate with loved ones.

She noted that Dane “was really excited about it, because he was losing his voice, and it was becoming more difficult for him to communicate each and every day. So it became sort of urgent.”

According to its official website, “The ElevenLabs Impact Program provides free licenses to individuals with accessibility needs and nonprofit organizations across healthcare, education and culture.” The voice restoration project specifically uses past recordings to create a synthetic voice for people like Dane.

Rebecca Gayheart and Eric Dane.Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage

At the end of his life, Gayheart revealed she and the actor listened to his voice recreation.

“He was waiting anxiously to hear it, and when we got it from ElevenLabs it was a really big moment. It was a powerful moment,” she recalled. “We played it, and Eric became visibly emotional. And when I heard it, I cried. I think everyone in the room did.”

“He wanted to advocate for love and for the movement [around ALS] and so I’m there to do this for him,” she added. “For a million people to get a voice to be able to communicate with their children or their loved ones or their caretakers or their doctors or in their job — this is a really huge movement.”

Gayheart and Dane met in 2003 and married the following year. They went on to welcome two children — daughters Billie, 16, and Georgia, 14 — before separating in 2018. Gayheart remained a key caregiver for the Euphoria star amid his ALS journey.

She told the outlet that she and her family are “still in a state of shock” from the loss but praised those who have supported them during this time.

“I just want to thank everybody for being so kind to us during the last couple of years. It’s been challenging and meaningful, and people are kind,” she said. “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. They’ve 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. Hollywood gets a bad rap. That kind of makes me mad, because we have a lovely community of people, and I’m so grateful for them.”

Billie Beatrice Dane, Eric Dane, Georgia Geraldine Dane and Rebecca Gayheart.Rebecca Gayheart Dane/Instagram

Dane’s family confirmed to PEOPLE last month that he died on Thursday, Feb. 19. “With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” a statement read. “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,” it continued. “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.”

Days later, Gayheart took to her Instagram Stories to express how “blown away” she was by the “outpouring of love and support from our community.”

“There aren’t words to express our gratitude,” she wrote alongside a photo of a candlelit memorial honoring the late actor. “You are truly holding us up during this difficult time.”