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“Dawson’s Creek” star James Van Der Beek passed away on February 11, 2026. The beloved actor had been undergoing treatment for stage three colorectal cancer since 2024, and he often used the internet to update his supporters on his progress. Going forward, Van Der Beek’s social media pages will probably remain a public scrapbook, highlighting the people, places, and things that mattered most to him, especially during his last years. Of course, many of these will be bittersweet, like the entertainer’s last Instagram post, which is absolutely heartbreaking amid his untimely death from cancer at the age of 48.
He expressed, “You are wonders… and I’m incredibly thankful to have you in my life. The world is enriched by your presence.” This sentiment resonated deeply, as many felt similarly about Van Der Beek himself.
Though recognized for his acting achievements, James Van Der Beek found his true fulfillment in family life. Despite the sorrow of his mother’s passing in 2020, he is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children, alongside his father, James William Van Der Beek. The “Varsity Blues” actor frequently emphasized the significance of his family in his life.
During an appearance on “Good Morning America,” Van Der Beek radiated joy while discussing how fatherhood had transformed him. “It really changes everything,” he remarked in 2023 (as reported by People). “Your life becomes intertwined, and the happiness you experience becomes a shared joy, creating a beautiful expansion of connections with others,” he noted, adding, “It’s the most extraordinary thing I’ve ever undertaken, and it’s brought me the greatest happiness.”
James Van Der Beek was especially close with his family
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James Van Der Beek was an accomplished actor, but his real joy came from his family. Although his mother passed away in 2020, James left behind his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their six children, along with his father, James William Van Der Beek. Over the years, the “Varsity Blues” star repeatedly gushed about the importance of his loved ones.
While appearing on “Good Morning America,” Van Der Beek beamed as he discussed parenting his brood of little ones and the way it had altered his life. “God, it changes everything really,” he shared in 2023 (via People). “Your life becomes shared, and your joys become shared joys in a really beautiful way that expands your level of circuitry out to other people,” he said, adding, “It’s the craziest, craziest thing I’ve ever done, and it’s the thing that’s made me happiest.”
His wife, Kimberly, was just as crucial to his existence, and he’s said as much. To commemorate their 15th year as husband and wife, James took to Instagram to highlight the ways in which she’d supported him through his scary cancer diagnosis. “You are the most extraordinary human I’ve ever met,” he wrote alongside a sweet outdoor shot of them together. “One day I’ll tell the story of what you’ve endured these last two years and how you’ve shown up, time and time and time again. You have not only saved my life … you’ve shown me what it is to live.”