Actor James Van Der Beek, best known for his roles in “Dawson’s Creek” and “Varsity Blues,” died Wednesday after a battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer. He was 48 and had six children.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” read a statement posted by his wife Kimberly on Instagram.
“He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”
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“What a heartbreaking loss,” responded actress Jennifer Garner. “So much love to you, Kimberly, and to your kids, as you navigate this tender time.”
Van Der Beek had announced his diagnosis in a November 2024 interview with “People” magazine.
“Before cancer, God was something I tried to fit into my life as much as possible,” he told NBC’s “Today” show.
“After cancer, I feel like a connection to God, whatever that is, is kind of the whole point of this exercise on this planet.”
“Before cancer, God was something I tried to fit into my life as much as possible. After cancer, I feel like a connection to God, whatever that is, is kind of the whole point of this exercise on this planet.”
Hollywood actor Van Der Beek passed away at the age of 48
Video:… pic.twitter.com/mSQcKo6EMY
— Sachin Jose (@Sachinettiyil) February 11, 2026
On March 8, 2025, his birthday, Van Der Beek posted a message online asking the existential question many people have asked themselves.
“What am I?” the native of Cheshire, Connecticut, wondered.
“And I meditated and the answer came through: I am worthy of God’s love simply because I exist. And if I’m worthy of God’s love, shouldn’t I also be worthy of my own? And the same is true for you.
JUST IN: Actor James Van Der Beek has sadly passed away at the age of 48.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” his family posted to his Instagram account.
“He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. There is much to share regarding… pic.twitter.com/uHQwNRAx4K
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) February 11, 2026
“I wanted to share that with you because that revelation that came to me was due in no small part to all the prayers and the love that had been directed toward me.”
Van Der Beek was also not afraid to talk politics. In 2023, he said on video: “I cannot get over the fact that the Democratic National Committee is saying there will not be a debate to decide the nominee for president. Are you f***ing kidding me?”
James Van Der Beek dies at 48. cancer.
May 31, 2023. He posted this video shitting on the DNC.
His name is not in the Epstein Files.
RIP pic.twitter.com/T4BP9aAIIj
— MJTruthUltra (@MJTruthUltra) February 11, 2026
“This guy [Joe Biden] has obviously declining mental faculties and you’re putting him up in front of a podium with flashcards telling him who to call on and what the questions are gonna be. Now you’re telling us there’s no debate? What about the will of the people?”
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