Eric Dane spent the final months of his life writing about the experiences that shaped him, leaving behind a memoir that will now be published after his death.
The late Grey’s Anatomy actor worked on the book, titled My Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments, until the end of his life, according to publisher Maria Shriver. The memoir is scheduled for release on Nov. 3 through The Open Field, Shriver’s publishing imprint.
Shriver shared details about the project in an Instagram post, explaining that Dane had chosen the fall release date himself.
“He expressed to me his desire for his family to know how deeply he loved them and to leave behind a story they could be proud of,” Shriver wrote. “He worked on this manuscript right up to the end.”
Dane first announced plans for the memoir in December. He said the book would reflect on key moments in his life, including his acting career and his experience living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
“Every morning when I wake up, I’m reminded of the reality of this illness,” Dane said at the time. “That’s part of why I’m writing this book.”
He explained that the project was meant to capture both the meaningful and difficult moments that shaped his life.
“I want to write about the days that mattered, the challenging ones, and even the ones I once took for granted,” he said. “If sharing that helps even one person find meaning in their own life, then it’s worth it.”
Dane died on Feb. 19 at age 53. His death was attributed to respiratory failure, with ALS listed as an underlying cause. He publicly revealed his diagnosis in April 2025.
Following his passing, Shriver reflected on their recent conversations about the memoir, noting that they had planned to meet the following week.
“His death is a reminder that today is all we truly have,” she wrote in her Sunday Paper newsletter. “Tomorrow is never promised.”
Dane is survived by his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, and their daughters, Billie Beatrice, 16, and Georgia Geraldine, 13.
In an interview released shortly after his death, the actor shared a message for his daughters, describing lessons he hoped they would carry with them.
He encouraged them to live in the present, fall in love, find their community, and face challenges with dignity.
