Remembering James Van Der Beek
The Van Der Beek family in Austin, Texas
My heart stopped when my friend texted me the tragic news.
James Van Der Beek died today after a courageous battle with colorectal cancer. He was only 48 years old.
James was widely known for his role as Dawson on Dawson’s Creek, later portraying a Texas high school football player in Varsity Blues, among many other acting credits.
But to those who knew him beyond the screen, James was first and foremost a devoted husband and father.
This loss hits close to home because I knew him—not well, but through the shared rhythm of daily life.
Our children attended the same private school for many years, and our daughters were friends. That proximity offered a glimpse behind the celebrity curtain and into the man and family that were clearly his whole world.
In 2020, James and his wife Kimberly left Los Angeles and relocated to Austin in search of a more grounded, family-centered life. Their love and partnership were visible even from a distance.
Together, they welcomed six children over their 16-year relationship and spoke openly about the two miscarriages they experienced along the way.
James was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in August 2023. There were stretches when we wouldn’t see him for months, followed by unexpected moments—appearing in the school pickup line, at a talent show, or at an end-of-year event. Even in illness, he showed up whenever he could.
Family meant everything to James.
Throughout his cancer journey, he continued to work and to advocate publicly. He spoke candidly about his diagnosis on the 2025 Fox television special The Real Full Monty, raising awareness for cancer research, and later appeared on The Masked Singer.
Like so many families facing serious illness, theirs carried an immense emotional and financial burden.
Now, just two and a half years after his diagnosis, James is gone. His wife and their six young children are left to grieve an unimaginable loss.
My heart breaks for them.
Kimberly has shared that the family is facing significant medical expenses and financial strain, and a GoFundMe has been created to help support them.
At a time when many of us are focused on love this Valentine’s season, I hope you’ll find room in your hearts to support a family that has just lost the center of theirs.
And in James’s memory, please prioritize regular colon cancer screening. Current guidelines recommend colonoscopies beginning at age 45—it’s a simple step that can save lives.
#rememberingjames
#coloncancerawarenewss
