James Van Der Beek Was a Father of 6
Actor James Van Der Beek, best known for his starring roles in Dawson's Creek and Varsity Blues, died Wednesday morning at age 48 following a battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer.
Van Der Beek's wife Kimberly announced the news on Instagram.
"Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning," Kimberly wrote. "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."
Van Der Beek and the former Kimberly Brook were married in August 2010 in Tel Aviv, Israel. This was Van Der Beek's second marriage following a six-year union with actress Heather McComb from 2003 to 2009.
Together, Van Der Beek and Kimberly had six children: daughters Olivia, Annabel, Emilia and Gwendolyn, and sons Joshua and Jeremiah.
More on the Van Der Beeks' children
Olivia, 15, is the first Van Der Beek child, born September 25, 2010. Next came 13-year-old Joshua, born March 13, 2012.
Annabel Van Der Beek, born January 25, 2014, just celebrated her 12th birthday. James Van Der Beek's final individual Instagram post was one celebrating Annabel and his father, who shared a birthday.
"My father and my daughter share a birthday today. At first, I thought that was all they shared - they seemed so different to me," he wrote last month.
"But as the two of you have evolved, and let more of who you are shine through, I can recognize the same open, warm, loving, gentle heart. I see the care and dedication you shower upon those you love most. I see the same out-of-the-box Aquarian creativity and originality. And you both make every room you’re in more fun. Different senes of humor, but you both have a way of alchemizing the vibe around you in such a subtle way one can almost miss how powerfully you do this.
"In this crazy world, it’s a wonder to me that you’ve managed to stay so open, so tender, and so genuinely good."
After Annabel is Emilia Van Der Beek, 9, born March 23, 2016; Gwendolyn Van Der Beek, 7, born June 15, 2018; and the baby of the bunch, Jeremiah Van Der Beek, 4, born October 10, ,2021.
" "Humbled and overjoyed to announce the safe, happy arrival of Jeremiah Van Der Beek ❤️ (We've been calling him Remi, btw - not 'dinosaur' ????)," James wrote on Instagram in November 2021.
James Van Der Beek fought for more than two years
The Texas Rangers star was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in August 2023, but did not go public with his battle until November 2024.
“I have colorectal cancer. I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family,” Van Der Beek said at the time. “There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good."
In November 2025, Van Der Beek announced he was auctioning off memorabilia from his Dawson's Creek and Varsity Blues collections to help pay for cancer treatments.