TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Dawson's Creek star James Van Der Beek died on Wednesday morning, February 11, 2026, in Austin, Texas, United States, after battling stage 3 colorectal cancer at the age of 48. The news was announced three hours ago on Van Der Beek and his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek's Instagram account.
"Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. 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," the post read.
James Van Der Beek Reveals His Illness in November 2024
According to the BBC, the star was diagnosed with the disease in the second half of 2023, but only revealed the news in November 2024. The father of six starred in several popular shows and films in the late 1990s and early 2000s, including the classic series Dawson's Creek and Varsity Blues. In Dawson's Creek, he played Dawson Leery, the series' lead, alongside Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson.
According to People, Van Der Beek gave his final interview with Craigh Melvin of Today in December of last year. In the interview, held at his Texas ranch, he candidly discussed his health and the impact colorectal cancer has had on his life. He praised his wife of 15 years, Kimberly. Van Der Beek revealed that Kimberly has been instrumental in his journey. “I would not be alive if it weren’t for my wife,” he said. “She just has stepped up as a caretaker, as a nurse, as head of the household.”
James Van Der Beek moved to Austin six years ago with Kimberly and their six children: Olivia, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, Joshua, and Jeremiah. James and Kimberly decided to leave Beverly Hills permanently on Instagram to “embark on a new adventure in Texas.”
Finding Comfort and Warmth After Moving to Texas
In July 2021, the couple revealed their beautiful, natural married life in Texas in a cover story for Austin Life magazine. Van Der Beek said their new home in the Lone Star State has been incredible for their children’s mental development.
Kimberly, meanwhile, shared how important nature is to their new life in Texas. “I'm a farm girl at heart who had never lived out her dream. Nature was calling. I wanted to be immersed in nature, in trees and fields and the sky,” she said at the time. “We found this property and it's been like a dream come true.”
James Van Der Beek with his wife. Photo: Instagram.
A year later, in an interview with People, Van Der Beek said that living in Texas had been a "balancing" experience for his family. "For me, it's been really calming, and I think for the kids, it's given them a foundation, and a different kind of education that we couldn't have given them in a classroom," he said.
He explained that their family has become calmer and closer since living in Texas and has become more connected to nature. "I feel like we have a connection to the natural cycles that are going on." Of his children, he said, "They jump around. They sing, 'It's raining, it's raining today,' and they run outside in the rain, because we need them."
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