What started as a fight turned into one of Hollywood’s most unexpected friendships.
Speaking at the New Orleans Book Festival, Dax Shepard didn’t sugarcoat his first impression of Eric Dane.
“Eric Dane, I can now say that I met in recovery and we hated each other. I hated him!” Shepard admitted. “I thought he was a bit of a bully…I said, ‘Let’s go. Out. Right now.’ It was on.
Yes, outside of an AA meeting.
Cooler heads eventually took over and no punches were thrown. But what happened next? This is where the story changes.
“God bless us both. We keep coming back,” Shepard said, explaining how the repeated meetings slowly eased the tension. Over time, curiosity replaced judgment.
Then came the moment that changed everything.
“His father committed suicide in his home when he was a little boy…” Shepard shared, revealing the trauma that shaped Dane’s life. “So this little boy held on to that.”
Suddenly it clicked.
“I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but it’s one of my favorite things I’ve ever heard,” Shepard recalled. Shortly after, Dane responded similarly: “I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I think I fell in love with Dax.”
And just like that, the almost fight turned into a real friendship.
The two bonded over addiction, masculinity and growing up without a father – conversations that were deep and often took place in Dane’s home.
Danish, best known for Grey’s Anatomy And Euphoriadied in February at age 53 after battling ALS.
“For someone who was so keen to be hyper-masculine… I found [this] to be the bravest thing he’s done,” Shepard said.
From “let’s fight” to “I love you”. This isn’t your typical Hollywood arc.
