Chyler Leigh is remembering her time with Eric Dane.
Indeed, the Grey’s Anatomy actress—who played Eric’s onscreen love interest in the hit ABC show—opened up about working with the Euphoria star following his Feb. 19 death. He was 53.
“The last 48 hours have been devastating,” Chyler said in a statement to E! News. “I never thought I would be using the term ‘had or was,’ but here we are. And I hate it.”
“Eric had a heart of gold,” she continued. “His humor and, especially, his laugh was infectious. He was a deeply intelligent man who could carry a philosophical conversation for hours even while we were on set. He was an amazing father and loved his girls FIERCELY. Incredibly passionate about his work and the causes he kept close to his heart.”
Although the Burlesque actor—who shared kids Billie15, and Georgia14, with estranged wife Rebecca Gayheart—died nearly one year after publicly sharing his ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) diagnosis, Chyler emphasized how his legacy will live on.
“The Universe is undoubtedly holding Eric now,” she continued, “just as I will continue to do within my heart forever.”
