James Van Der Beek’s Wife Kimberly Shares Emotional Statement About His Final Days
James Van Der Beek’s wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, is opening up about the actor’s final days after his death at age 48.
On Wednesday, Feb. 11, Kimberly announced on Instagram that the Dawson’s Creek star had “passed peacefully this morning” following his battle with colorectal cancer. He had first been diagnosed in 2023.
“He Met His Final Days With Courage, Faith, and Grace”
In her heartfelt statement, Kimberly reflected on how her husband faced the end of his life.
“He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,” she wrote.
The couple, who married in 2010, share six children together. In her message, Kimberly asked for “peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”
She also hinted that there is more to share in time, writing that there is “much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time.”
Family Facing an Uncertain Future
Alongside her announcement, Kimberly shared a link to a GoFundMe created by a family friend to help support her and their children.
The fundraiser explains that after a lengthy and expensive fight against cancer, the family is now facing financial hardship.
“The costs of James’s medical care and the extended fight against cancer have left the family out of funds,” the page reads. “They are working hard to stay in their home and to ensure the children can continue their education and maintain some stability during this incredibly difficult time.”
Donations will go toward essential living expenses, bills, and the children’s education as the family navigates what organizers describe as an “uncertain future.”
A Public Battle Marked by Honesty and Strength
Van Der Beek publicly revealed his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis in November 2024, though he had been privately battling the disease since 2023.
“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,” he told PEOPLE at the time. “There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good.”
In a candid interview with Robin Roberts on Good Morning America, the actor became emotional when speaking about Kimberly’s unwavering support.
“She’s been amazing. She’s really taught me what unconditional love is,” he said. “I’m someone who has always tried to do everything for everybody and never asked for help myself. This has put me in a position of having to ask for help and the beautiful blessing of that has been seeing how many people in my life have shown up.”
“Cancer Is a Full-Time Job”
Throughout his journey, Van Der Beek remained open about the challenges he faced.
In a July 2025 appearance on Today, he described cancer as “a full-time job.”
“I’m just on the journey,” he said. “It’s a process. It’ll probably be a process for the rest of my life.”
By December 2025, he shared that he was feeling “much, much better than I did a couple months ago,” though he acknowledged how demanding the road had been.
“It’s required more of me more patience, more discipline, more strength than I knew I had,” he told Craig Melvin. “I knew I was strong I didn’t know I was this strong. But I feel good.”
He also recalled the moment of his diagnosis following a colonoscopy.
“I really don’t think I knew what to do. Neither did my wife. And we drove home in silence,” he said. Though he admitted he initially went into shock, his mindset soon shifted.
“I had this little voice in my head that said, ‘You’re gonna make changes in your life that you would never, ever make if you didn’t have this extreme of a diagnosis.’”
A Legacy of Courage and Love
In her tribute, Kimberly made clear that her husband faced the end of his life the same way he faced his illness with bravery and grace.
As fans, friends, and former costars continue to honor him, his wife’s words offer a deeply personal glimpse into his final chapter: one defined not just by illness, but by faith, resilience, and devotion to family.
James Van Der Beek leaves behind a legacy not only as a beloved television star, but as a husband and father who met life’s hardest moments with courage until the very end.