Chyler Leigh, Eric Dane’s On-Screen Love Interest on “Grey’s Anatomy”, Shares Emotional Tribute After His Death: ‘I Hate It’

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NEED TO KNOW

• Chyler Leigh, who played Eric Dane's love interest on Grey's Anatomy, paid tribute to him two days after his Feb. 19 death

• "The last 48 hours have been devastating," Leigh wrote, in part, of her late former costar in a statement shared on Feb. 21

• Other Grey's Anatomy stars including Patrick Dempsey, Kevin McKidd, Sarah Drew and Kim Raver also have shared tributes

Chyler Leighpaid tribute to her late on-screen love interestEric Dane.

The 43-year-old actress — who playedLexie Grey opposite Dane's Mark Sloan onGrey's Anatomy— shared a heartfelt tribute to her late former costar two days afterDane died on Feb. 19at the age of 53.

"The last 48 hours have been devastating," Leigh wrote in a statement toE! News. "I never thought I would be using the term 'had or was,' but here we are. And I hate it."

She continued, "Eric had a heart of gold. 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."

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"He was an amazing father and loved his girls FIERCELY," Leigh added, referring to Dane's two daughters,Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 14,whom he shares with exRebecca Gayheart.

Chyler went on to rave about how "passionate about his work" he was and "the causes he kept close to his heart," including his advocacy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a.k.a. Lou Gehrig's disease, which he had been diagnosed with less than a year prior to his death.

"The Universe is undoubtedly holding Eric now just as I will continue to do within my heart forever," she concluded her statement.

Dane's family confirmed his death in a statement to PEOPLE on Feb. 19, saying that the actor 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."

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"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. 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," they added.

Several otherGrey's Anatomycast members shared tributes.

Patrick Dempsey, 60, recalled Dane'sheartbreaking final daysand shared his thoughts of him during an appearance onThe Chris Evans Breakfast Showon Feb. 20"He was bedridden and it was very hard for him to swallow, so the quality of his life was deteriorating so rapidly," Dempsey shared. "He was the funniest man - he was such a joy to work with and I want to just remember him in that spirit because any time he was on set, he brought so much fun to it."

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"He had a great sense of humor. He was easy to work with, we got along instantly," Dempsey continued. "First scene was him, you know, in all his glory, coming out of the bathroom with the towel on looking amazing, making you feel completely out of shape and insignificant."

Kevin McKidd, who also starred on the show, reposted on hisInstagram Storiesa photo shared byVarietyof Dane on theGrey's Anatomyset and wrote, "Rest in peace buddy…"

Grey'salumSarah Drewshared the same photo on herInstagram Stories,writing, "Rest in peace," alongside three crying emojis.

Read the original article onPeople

byLucie Johns

in

February 21, 2026

Chyler Leigh, Eric Dane’s On-Screen Love Interest on “Grey’s Anatomy”, Shares Emotional Tribute After His Death: ‘I Hate It’

Rodin Eckenroth/Getty; Frazer Harrison/Getty NEED TO KNOW Chyler Leigh, who played Eric Dane's love int...

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“Riverdale” Actress Vanessa Morgan Reveals Which of Her Iconic Roles She Would Reprise

Arnold Jerocki/WireImage

NEED TO KNOW

• Vanessa Morgan currently stars as Max on the CW crime drama Wild Cards

• The 33-year-old actress is also known for her roles on shows, like My Babysitter's a Vampire and Riverdale

• In a recent interview, she revealed which of her characters she would love to revisit on screen

Vanessa Morgan continues to shine as Max onWild Cards, a role she has fully stepped into as the series moves through its fourth season of production. The crime drama has become a defining chapter in her career, giving her space to blend humor, heart and sharp instincts in a character fans have embraced.

Long before playing Max, however, Morgan, 33, built an impressive résumé filled with unforgettable roles. In a recent interview withWoman's World, she reflected on the characters that still mean the most to her. When asked which ones she would reprise, her answer was clear.

"It would be Tony Topaz onRiverdaleand Sarah onMy Babysitter's a Vampire," she told the outlet. "I loved playing Sarah."

My Babysitter's a Vampirepremiered in 2011 and ran for two seasons. Morgan starred as Sarah, the vampire hired to babysit geeky teen Ethan Morgan, played by Matthew Knight. Posing as a normal high school student, Sarah balances her supernatural identity with protecting Ethan and his friends from paranormal threats.

Morgan later joinedRiverdalein season 2 as Toni Topaz, the fiercely loyal Southside Serpent who became central to many of the show's wild storylines. Acting alongsideLili Reinhart,Cole SprouseandCamila Mendes, Morgan quickly found herself part of a global television phenomenon.

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"It was great. Nothing can really prepare you for something like that," Morgan said, reflecting on the experience. "It's one of those once-in-a-lifetime types of shows where they just really blow up. Getting to be a part of that was such an experience in my life and getting to experience that with such a great group of people and make friendships that we'll have for a lifetime.Riverdalehas some crazy storylines, and I feel like I've done it all from being on the show."

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Still, Morgan believes every character she's taken on has shaped her growth as an actor and helped her build the foundation for what she does next. From playing a teenage vampire navigating double lives to portraying a fierce gang member in a heightened comic-book drama, each role pushed her in different ways.

"You take a bit of all your characters when you move on to a role," Morgan toldWoman's World. "I feel like Max is a mess of all of them with some new bits as well. She's such a unique personality and she's just so fun. There's a little bit of everybody in there, and then 50% somebody that I created."

Read the original article onPeople

byLucie Johns

in

February 21, 2026

“Riverdale” Actress Vanessa Morgan Reveals Which of Her Iconic Roles She Would Reprise

Arnold Jerocki/WireImage NEED TO KNOW Vanessa Morgan currently stars as Max on the CW crime drama Wild Card...

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'Golden Girls' star Estelle Getty's former Los Angeles mansion listed for sale at $7.65M

"Golden Girls" star, Estelle Getty's former home is now up for grabs.

The 4,552-square-foot home in Los Angeles is on the market for $7.65 million in partnership with brokers Paul Lester and Aileen Comora, of the Agency.

Originally built in 1948, the home features five bedrooms and five bathrooms, as well as a large chef's kitchen with a separate guest suite – with its own ensuite and walk-in closet.

In addition, the home boasts a lower level with its own private entrance, which can be used for various purposes, including an office, gym, additional guest suite, screening room or for something else. The lower level also includes a 1,500-bottle wine cellar.

Betty White's Unforgettable Explicit First Words To David Boreanaz On The 'Bones' Set

Outside, visitors can find an outdoor dining and lounge area, as well as a wrap-around porch and two-car garage.

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Getty started her career on Broadway in the 80s before becoming a household name playing Sophia Petrillo in thehit NBC sitcom, "The Golden Girls."

The show also starred Rue McClanahan, Betty White and Bea Arthur, who played Dorothy Spornac, the daughter of Getty's character. While stories often circulated about a feud between the four women, McClanahan dispelled those rumors in her memoir, "My First Five Husbands...And the Ones Who Got Away," "Our set was a happy one."

"Sad to say, there are times when rumors are based on fact," White wrote in her memoir. "Knowing how much time and togetherness is involved in making a television series is mind-boggling to think of doing it if you disliked each other! Bad enough in a dramatic situation...imagine doing comedy in those conditions?!"

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Each of the four actresses wonEmmy Awardsfor their work on the show, with the show winning 11 Emmys overall.

Getty and the other women had successful careers both before and after the show, with White going on to have a career in television spanning over seven decades, earning the nickname, "The First Lady of Television."

After "Golden Girls" came to an end, White starred in the short-lived spin-off series, "The Golden Palace," and later starred in films such as "The Proposal," "You Again" and "The Lorax," and had a starring role on the hit show, "Hot In Cleveland."

White died in December 2021, just a few weeks before her 100th birthday in January 2022.

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"She was magical. You know, there are people that when they walk into a room, they kind of glow," White's "Hot In Cleveland" co-star, Valerie Bertinelli, toldDrew Barrymorewhile appearing on "The Drew Barrymore Show" in January 2025.

"Betty had this aura about her of just pure grace and kindness and humor," she continued. "I was so lucky, I got to work with her for five years. It was the best job. It was amazing. I learned so much."

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Original article source:'Golden Girls' star Estelle Getty's former Los Angeles mansion listed for sale at $7.65M

byLucie Johns

in

February 21, 2026

'Golden Girls' star Estelle Getty's former Los Angeles mansion listed for sale at $7.65M

"Golden Girls" star, Estelle Getty's former home is now up for grabs. The 4,552-square-foot ho...

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A timeline of US strikes on boats that have killed at least 148

The US military has killed at least 148 people in strikes that have destroyed 44 boats as part of a campaign that Washington says is aimed at curtailing the flow of drugs into the United States, according to official announcements and CNN's analysis of search and rescue efforts. There have been at least 13 survivors of those strikes, two of whom were briefly detained by the US Navy before being returned to their home countries. 11 others are presumed dead after searches did not locate them in the water.

The US Coast Guard launched a search for an unspecified number of survivors who abandoned ship before their vessels were struck on December 30 in international waters. The Coast Guard suspended its search on January 2. Officials subsequently said there had been eight survivors they were attempting to locate. The Coast Guard similarly launched searches for survivors of boat strikes on October 27, January 23 and February 9, but all three searches were suspended without locating the men.

The Trump administration has told Congress that the US is now in an "armed conflict" against drug cartels beginning with its first strike on September 2, labeling those killed "unlawful combatants" and claiming the ability to engage in lethal strikes without judicial reviewdue to a classified Justice Department finding.

Some members of Congress as well as human rights groups have questioned that finding and argued that potential drug traffickers should face prosecution, as had been the policy of interdiction carried out by the US before President Donald Trump took office.

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The Trump administration has also not provided public evidence of the presence of narcotics on the boats struck, nor their affiliation with drug cartels.

Military officials have said that no US service members have been harmed in the strikes.

This story has been updated with additional reporting.

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byLucie Johns

in

February 21, 2026

A timeline of US strikes on boats that have killed at least 148

The US military has killed at least 148 people in strikes that have destroyed 44 boats as part of a campaign that Washin...

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