What Eric Dane’s Message to His Daughters Teaches Us About Recording Your Life Story

Netflix’s “Famous Last Words” and the Power of a Final Message

"Famous Last Words gives audiences around the world the opportunity to hear from a cultural icon after they’ve passed away." That is how Netflix phrases what this new series is.

Having recorded my own father recently, I watched the singular clip of Eric Dane to his daughters on YouTube and felt the tug on my emotional heartstrings.  Then I watched the entire episode and I wondered how the interview came about.

Whose idea was it to air it posthumous rather than after it had been completed?

Why did Eric want to publish it to the world rather than privately with his family?

Did Eric contact Netflix to document his story or did Brad Falchuck contact him?

Or did Netflix or Brad reach out to Eric?

And then my thoughts shifted to the conversation I recorded with my dad. If you haven't seen the Netflix documentary yet, then I'll tell you that Billie and Georgia are Eric's girls.  They didn't have the privilege of sitting in the room with him that day.  

They probably weren't aware that he was recording a message for them - or that the message would be shared all over the world and watched by thousands of people.

It made me appreciate the fact that when I told my dad that I wanted to record his story, he took time off work to be present with me.  It was recorded privately and other than brief clips, it will only be shared with family.  

Watching Eric Dane’s Message Changed How I Reflected on Recording My Own Father

In contrast to an end of life illness that Eric had, my dad is not fighting a life threatening diagnosis.  He is getting up in years, but he wakes up and goes to work every day he's scheduled to be there. 

In parallel to Eric's life, my dad had some challenges that presented themselves in his life, but overall, he doesn't regret the paths that led him to where he is today.

The Gift of Being Present Before It’s Urgent

Before we started recording, my dad was being comedic and shared a line from a 1970s film he wanted to start off quoting.  The lighting, cameras, and scene were set before he ever walked into the room.  When I pressed record, I started with a question that Sean Giggy encouraged me to begin legacy conversations with.  It usually gives people pause because they want to think through their answer.

That was the case with my dad.  After an hour of recording, he remembered the funny line he wanted to have at the beginning of his life story film.  He did his routine and then I leaned in to be heard on the recording for my editor, "John, when you hear this, it's the beginning."  

Yes, Eric was able to convey his thoughts, but there are some points where we see him struggling with words.  He is sitting in a wheelchair, unable to express himself through body language.  Had he been recorded before his health had declined that far, it would have been a different recording.

What Happens When You Intentionally Document a Life

The Stories You Never Knew to Ask 

I learned things about my dad that I never knew.  We laughed, we cried, and we hugged.  It went better than I expected.

I don't know how old Eric's daughters are, but I believe that whatever their ages, they appreciate that their dad took the time to leave a message specifically for them knowing he was nearing the end of life.  No doubt they'll listen to it as the years go by, maybe even on the anniversary of his passing, on his birthday, or on special holidays.

Recording a Life Story With Clarity, Not Crisis

Editing hasn't even begun on my dad's life stories, but I know that not only will I be able to hear his stories again, I'll be able to see his expressions, his emotions, and his mannerisms anytime I want to.  The best part?  I recorded him while he had clarity to speak the stories he wanted us to know.  These stories will be securely kept in my Forever account, ensuring they'll be available for my lifetime plus 100 years.  Future generations will be able to see and hear their great grandfather because we took the time to intentionally document his stories.

It's an invaluable gift that I am anxious to give to every member of my family.

From Kristina’s Final Messages to a Life of Legacy Work

When Loss Becomes the Catalyst 

Even though I only recorded brief moments at the end of my sister Kristina's life, her messages were the catalyst for documenting legacy for others.  While I would never wish losing someone so close on anyone, I am grateful that through my loss, I get to keep her memory alive every time I tell her story and record life stories for others.

Why You Don’t Have to Be a Celebrity to Leave a Message

Oh!  You don't have to be a celebrity to tell your story - and you don't need to submit it to Netflix, if you want to keep it private.  We can definitely hold onto it if you'd like us to, but I think it's even more special to gift it to your family while you're here with them.

A White Glove Legacy Experience for Your Family

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