Ellen Pompeo shared a warm goodbye with Rebecca Gayheart after the two women spent Wednesday evening together in West Hollywood, nearly six months after Eric Dane’s death.
The Grey’s Anatomy star and Gayheart were photographed leaving Sushi Park on August 5th. Pompeo, 56, and Gayheart, 54, appeared relaxed as they left the restaurant and waited for their vehicles.
Photographs published by Just Jared showed them talking outside before sharing a goodbye hug. Pompeo wore an all-black outfit, while Gayheart paired a sleeveless white top with pants featuring dragon and yellow leopard prints.
Neither woman revealed what brought them together. The dinner marked their second photographed meal since Dane died from complications related to ALS on February 19th at age 53.
They Previously Met for Lunch One Month After Dane’s Death
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Pompeo worked with Dane for six seasons of Grey’s Anatomy before he left the ABC medical drama in 2012. They remained friendly after his departure.
Pompeo and Gayheart were previously photographed leaving a Beverly Hills restaurant together on March 20th, approximately one month after Dane died. During that daytime outing, Pompeo wore a belted black jumpsuit, while Gayheart chose a white T-shirt, Adidas track pants and a wide-brimmed hat.
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Their lunch came shortly after Gayheart shared an Instagram montage honoring Dane with photographs from his acting career and their family life. Several images included Pompeo, reflecting the friendship Dane maintained with his former Grey’s Anatomy costar.
“There are no words. All our love forever, your girls,” Gayheart wrote on behalf of herself and the daughters she shared with Dane, Billie and Georgia.
Pompeo Reached Out After Learning About Dane’s ALS
Dane joined Grey’s Anatomy as Dr. Mark Sloan during the show’s second season in 2006. Pompeo later recalled that they had “instant electric chemistry” and said she immediately loved him as both a colleague and friend. Mark died at the beginning of Season 9 in 2012.
Dane returned alongside Chyler Leigh for a 2021 episode in which Meredith encountered deceased loved ones while unconscious with COVID-19. After Dane publicly disclosed his ALS diagnosis in April 2025, Pompeo contacted him privately.
“As soon as I heard about his diagnosis, I texted him, and I said, ‘I’m here if you want to speak,’” she recalled in a prerecorded message shown at the ALS Network’s Champions for Cures & Care Gala in January. “And my phone rang 30 seconds later.”
Pompeo said she told Dane, “Whatever you need, however I can help. I love you.” She ended the message by telling him she was proud of him and honored to speak about him. Dane had been scheduled to receive the organization’s Advocate of the Year award but was unable to attend because of his declining health.
Gayheart Remained Legally Married to Dane
Dane and Gayheart married in 2004 and welcomed daughters Billie and Georgia before separating in 2018. Gayheart filed for divorce that year but requested that the case be dismissed in March 2025. The divorce was never finalized, and they remained legally married when Dane died.
Although they no longer had a conventional romantic relationship, both described the close family connection they maintained. “We have managed to become better friends and better parents,” Dane said in 2025. He called Gayheart his “biggest champion” and “most stalwart supporter.”
Gayheart similarly described their relationship as complicated but rooted in familial love, friendship and their commitment to raising their daughters.
Dane Recorded a Final Message for Billie and Georgia
Dane recorded a private interview for Netflix’s Famous Last Words before his death. The episode was released posthumously on February 20th. He urged Billie and Georgia to live in the present, find something they loved, choose their friends carefully and confront hardship with resilience.
“Fight with every ounce of your being, and with dignity,” Dane told them. “Never give up. Fight until your last breath.” He ended the interview with a final message to his daughters. “Billie and Georgia, you are my heart. You are my everything,” he said. “Good night. I love you. Those are my last words.”