- 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. (June 13, 2001)
- 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. (November 27, 2001)
- 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.
- Gave birth to her second child at age 40, a daughter Georgia Geraldine Dane on December 28, 2011. Child's father is her estranged husband, Eric Dane.
- Gave birth to her first child at age 38, a daughter Billie Beatrice Dane on March 3, 2010. Child's father is her estranged husband, Eric Dane.
- She is of English, Scottish, German, and Irish ancestry. Her surname, which originates in Saxony, Germany, was spelled "Gearheart" many generations back.
- Best friends with Brooke Mueller.
- Starring on Broadway in Steel Magnolias (Shelby - the Julia Roberts role in the movie) (March 2005)
- Formerly engaged to director Brett Ratner [1997].
- Former model.
- Crowned Miss Centralian in high school in 1987.
- Auditioned for the roles of Cici, Hallie, and Maureen before landing the role of Lois in Scream 2 (1997).
- Studied at Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute.
- She is the third of four children. She has 1 older sister named Elizabeth (b. 1964), 1 older brother named Curtis (b. 1967) and 1 younger sister named Rachel (1979-2017).
- She and fellow Scream 2 (1997) star Neve Campbell were both considered for the role of Carmen Ibanez in Starship Troopers (1997).
- Attended Knott County Central High School, Hindman, Kentucky.
- Parents are Curtis and Floneva.
- Is a dead ringer for Yvonne Sciò, particularly back in the '90s.
- She looks like singer Fergie Ferg(Stacey Ferguson).
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