Biography

Originally cast in the role of Inara, on the short-lived TV series Firefly (2002), but was replaced (by Morena Baccarin) after one day's shooting.

On 13 June 2001, Gayheart struck 9-year-old Jorge Cruz Jr. as he jaywalked across the street. According to the police report, the boy was walking home from school, and crossed the street about 160 feet from the nearest crosswalk. While several cars stopped to let him go, Gayheart allegedly swerved around the traffic and into a two-way left-turn lane, striking the boy; he died the next day at Los Angeles Children's Hospital. His parents, Jorge Cruz and Silvia Martinez, filed a wrongful-death lawsuit on 6 August 2001 against her. Gayheart paid for Cruz's hospital and funeral expenses.

Pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charge. She was sentenced to three years' probation, a one-year suspension of her license, a $2,800 fine and 750 hours of community service. She was also ordered to make a public-service announcement.

Gave birth to her second child at age 40, a daughter Georgia Geraldine Dane on December 28, 2011. Child's father is her late husband, Eric Dane.

Successfully reconciled with her estranged husband, Eric Dane after his ALS diagnosis [2025].