Eric Dane Not Planning Paternity Leave From Grey's Anatomy

Kiley Bishop/London Ent/Splash News Online

Just as his character on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy is discovering he is dad to an 18-year-old daughter, Eric Dane is about to embark on first-time fatherhood himself.

Expecting a baby girl with wife Rebecca Gayheart in March, the timing isn’t lost on the 37-year-old actor. Notes Eric,

“It’s literally life-imitating. I’m reading baby books now.”

Fans of Dr. Mark Sloan need not fear that the Seattle Grace heartthrob will disappear ala Dr. Izzie Stevens, however.

While costar Katherine Heigl took a lengthy hiatus after becoming mom to daughter Naleigh, now 13 months, Eric says he intends to stay put. He adds,

“Daddy’s got to work! The baby needs shoes.”

Source: USA Today

Comments

haha WOW i’m dumb! i never connected izzy being gone with katherine’s maternity leave!

- marfmom on January 19th, 2010

It is my understanding it had more to do with her filming a movie…atleast that’s what was put out there publicly…and that the adoption just happened to coincide with that.

- Deadra on January 19th, 2010

I think Katherine took a few weeks off for the adoption and the rest was for filming a movie.

And as much as I like my Grey’s, since when is the father not taking at least a week or two off something commendable?

- Sonya on January 19th, 2010

I don’t find that good, or even commendable. The joke, “the baby needs shoes” is so heartless when there are millions of Americans out of work whose kids actually need shoes. It’s a baby, one pair of Robeez type shoes will do! I think first time moms should definitely have their significant other, or someone, there to help them navigate the waters, not gone to television sets for 12+ hours a day. Ugh, this just rubbed me wrong!

- Rebecca on January 19th, 2010

What a shame…is he trying to be funny? My husband took 6 weeks unpaid leave when our last was born and it was the best thing ever. We saved up for it and it was invaluable to help me out with our older two, and for him to bond with the baby too.

Some people have strange priorities…

- Ruthella on January 19th, 2010

Oh for god’s sake’s it a frakking joke. Sure a poor taste joke, but being PC, and not risking pissing someone off is so old. And he doesn’t work 12+ hours a day everyday of the week every week. And ensemble cast show means you have long days sometimes and sometimes you barely work.

Plus, if he works that’s something between him and his wife. A man or woman working or not working does not make them a bad or good parent. Some people have to work no matter what their financial situation may seem, or many reasons.

Katherine Heigl took time off initially too film a movie, and then went back to filming Grey’s for two or so weeks and then took more time off for maternity leave, which she’s still on.

- Daisy on January 19th, 2010

1. he was clearly joking

2. who cares if he continues to work? that’s between him and rebecca. they’ll decide what’s best for their family

- Sarah K. on January 19th, 2010

Babies don’t need shoes once they are born. They won’t be wearing shoes until they start to walk….so I don’t get his comment about the shoes.

- Laura on January 20th, 2010

Haha and I thought it was really funny and a bit sarcastic that the baby needs shoes of all things. I figure Rebecca is very fond of shoes and that it’s really a little dig at her.

I’m sure he’ll take a week off but maybe not months. Relax.

- Hea on January 20th, 2010

Daisy and Sarah K; if he was joking, fair enough. But for one thing it’s not that clear from his comments that it IS a joke, and for another thing, the title ‘Eric Dane Not Taking Paternity Leave’ makes it seem like it isn’t a joke.

And if course SOME people can’t afford to take Paternity Leave, but I doubt he’s one of them.

I think it’s a story that invites debate, which is probably why it’s featured, so we’re debating it

- Ruthella on January 20th, 2010

I’m confused as to why another parent’s decision about whether to take leave after a baby is born is anyone’s business.

- Kat on January 20th, 2010

Kat; I suppose it’s due to CBB printing an article about that decision, and including an invitation to comment. Seems quite clear to me!

- Ruthella on January 21st, 2010

Good heavens people….it’s a JOKE!!!!!

Its so sad when celebrities cant even crack a joke anymore without people jumping down their throats.

Who cares if he takes time off or not…maybe he prefers working as opposed to staying home. Doesn’t make him any less of a man or father.

I get a year off and I wonder how I will do it because I am the on the go type of person. Who knows I may just cut my maternit leave short to go back to work….does that make me a bad mother?

Frankly, I dont care what anyone thinks. I’m sure Eric doesn’t either!!!

- Dee on January 21st, 2010