James Van Der Beek's Heartbreaking Final Tribute Before Cancer Death
James Van Der Beek, the beloved star of Dawson's Creek, shared a deeply emotional final social media post honoring his daughter just two weeks before his death from colorectal cancer at age 48. The actor passed away peacefully on Wednesday following a courageous two-year battle with the disease.
Final Birthday Tribute to Daughter and Father
In his last Instagram post dated January 25, Van Der Beek posted a poignant photograph embracing his 12-year-old daughter Annabel alongside his father Jim, both celebrating their shared birthday. The frail actor, wearing a woolen hat, captioned the image with moving words about their special bond.
'My father and my daughter share a birthday today. At first, I thought that was all they shared - they seemed so different to me,' Van Der Beek wrote. '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.'
The actor continued: 'I see the same out-of-the-box Aquarian creativity and originality. And you both make every room you're in more fun. Different senses 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.'
Van Der Beek concluded his emotional tribute: 'In this crazy world, it's a wonder to me that you've managed to stay so open, so tender, and so genuinely good. You are marvels... and I'm so insanely grateful to have you in my life. The world is a better place because the two of you are in it. Happy birthday, guys. I love you with all my heart.'
Family Confirms Peaceful Passing
The actor's loved ones confirmed his passing in an emotional Instagram statement on Wednesday morning. 'Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,' the family wrote.
'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 is survived by his wife Kimberly and their six children:
- Olivia, 15
- Annabel, 12
- Joshua, 13
- Emilia, 9
- Gwendolyn, 7
- Jeremiah, 4
Open Cancer Battle and Last Public Appearances
The actor had been transparent about his stage three colorectal cancer diagnosis since November 2024, frequently updating fans about his journey. 'I feel a little bit better every month. It's required more of me — more patience, more discipline,' he said last year while addressing noticeable weight loss. 'More strength than I knew I had. I knew I was strong, I didn't know I was this strong.'
Van Der Beek had dramatically slowed down his professional activities over the past two years, telling Today: 'The beauty of just taking things a little bit more slowly and prioritizing rest and really allowing that to be the job, I'm just on the journey. It's a process. It'll probably be a process for the rest of my life.'
His last red carpet appearance occurred at the Los Angeles premiere of Overcompensating at Hollywood Palladium on May 14, 2025. Fans expressed concern in September when the actor appeared noticeably thinner during a virtual Dawson's Creek reunion event.
Dawson's Creek Legacy and Planned Reunion
Van Der Beek shot to fame in 1998 at age 20 playing teen heartthrob Dawson Leery in the WB Network's Dawson's Creek, which ran for six seasons and launched the careers of Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, and Joshua Jackson.
In August 2025, it was announced that the original cast would reunite for a live reading of the show's pilot episode as a charity event benefiting the nonprofit F Cancer and supporting Van Der Beek during his cancer journey. Unfortunately, the actor had to withdraw from the appearance due to illness, expressing his disappointment in a pre-recorded video message.
'I have been looking forward to this night for months and months ever since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together,' he told fans.
Understanding Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer, sometimes called colon cancer, begins in the large intestine and typically affects older adults, though it can occur at any age. According to the Mayo Clinic, it usually starts as small clumps of cells called polyps that can develop into cancer over time.
Common symptoms include:
- A persistent change in bowel habits
- Rectal bleeding or blood in stool
- Ongoing abdominal discomfort
- A feeling that the bowel doesn't empty completely
- Unexplained weakness or fatigue
- Unintentional weight loss
Regular screening tests are recommended to detect polyps early, as they often don't cause symptoms initially. Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.
The actor and his family had moved from Los Angeles to Austin, Texas in 2020 seeking a simpler lifestyle. Throughout his career, Van Der Beek reflected on the challenges of early fame but ultimately cherished his time on the iconic television series that defined a generation of teen drama.
