Dax Shepard ‘Hated’ Eric Dane When They Met in AA, but Later ‘Came to Fall in Love’ with the Actor When He ‘Heard His Story’

**Dax Shepard Reflects on Complex Relationship with Eric Dane Amidst Shared Struggles**

In a candid discussion, actor Dax Shepard shared insights into his complicated relationship with the late Eric Dane, known for his role in “Euphoria.” Speaking at the New Orleans Book Festival, Shepard recounted how his initial feelings of animosity towards Dane transformed into camaraderie over time, particularly as they connected through their struggles with addiction and the absence of father figures in their lives.

Shepard, aged 51, openly admitted that he “hated” Dane when they first met at a recovery meeting. “I thought he was a bit of a bully,” he recalled. Tensions between the two came to a head during a group session when Shepard confronted Dane following an incident where Dane allegedly threatened a younger member of the group. This altercation escalated to the point where Shepard challenged Dane to step outside, leading to what could have been a physical fight. Thankfully, other attendees intervened, preventing the situation from worsening.

Despite the rocky start to their relationship, Shepard noted that both men continued to attend the same recovery meetings. Over the next two years, they began to understand each other better. Shepard explained, “I found myself starting to kind of relate to him. I heard his story.”

Dane, who passed away at the age of 53 in February following a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), shared experiences from his troubled childhood with Shepard. “His father shot himself in his house when he was a little boy,” Shepard recounted. This traumatic event left a profound impact on Dane, who grew up burdened with unprocessed grief and a longing for masculine validation. Shepard, who similarly grew up without a father, empathised with Dane’s struggles, recognising the parallel paths their lives had taken.

Their burgeoning friendship reached a turning point during their Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, where they began to support one another. Shepard mentioned a moment when he complimented one of Dane’s shares, admitting, “I can’t believe I’m gonna say this, but that’s one of my favourite shares I’ve ever heard.” To Shepard’s surprise, weeks later, Dane reciprocated the sentiment. “I think I’ve come to fall in love with Dax,” Dane shared during a meeting, marking the start of a deep and lasting friendship.

Both actors have been forthright about their battles with addiction, with Dane discussing his struggles during an appearance on Shepard’s podcast in 2024. During this conversation, Dane revealed how he was let go from “Grey’s Anatomy” because he “wasn’t the same guy” due to his challenges with substance abuse.

As they spent more time together, Shepard often visited Dane’s home, further solidifying their bond. “I came to fall in love with a very scared man trying and hoping he had become a man,” Shepard said, reflecting on the depth of their connection. He expressed admiration for Dane’s courage in confronting his vulnerabilities, especially given the traditionally hyper-masculine image Dane depicted in Hollywood.

Shepard also spoke poignantly about Dane’s ALS diagnosis, recognising the bravery required for someone who had always focused on maintaining a strong physical presence to become a public figure for a debilitating and diminishing disease. “To have agreed to become the face of this disease, completely diminished, I found to be the bravest thing he’d done in all these pursuits of manliness,” Shepard remarked, highlighting the complexity of Dane’s legacy.

The evolution of Shepard’s feelings towards Dane serves as a testament to the power of understanding and empathy that can develop between individuals who have faced similar hardships. As both men navigated their personal demons within the confines of recovery, they discovered that their struggles could forge unexpected bonds of friendship and support.

In reminiscing about their time together, Shepard’s reflections encapsulate a journey of growth, forgiveness, and ultimately love, even in the face of adversity. As the memory of Dane lives on, it serves as a reminder of the impact shared experiences can have in fostering deep and meaningful connections.