James Van Der Beek Addressed Concerns He ‘Lost So Much Weight’ in Final Interview Weeks Before His Death
Jason Pham
Hollywood has lost another legend. James Van Der Beek, an actor best known for his roles in projects like Dawson’s Creek and Varsity Blues, has died at the age of 48.
Van Der Beek’s family announced his death in an Instagram post on February 11, 2026. “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 with a photo of Van Der Beek. Van Der Beek’s wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, whom he married in 2010, was a collaborator on the post.
Van Der Beek is survived by his wife and their six kids: Olivia, Joshua, Anabel Leah, Emilia, Gwendolyn, and Jeremiah.
What was James Van Der Beek’s cause of death?
A representative for the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office told TMZ that Van Der Beek’s death was reported to them at 6:44 a.m. local time on February 11, 2026.
In a GoFundMe for the family, Kimberly confirmed that Van Der Beek died due to complications related to his colorectal cancer, which he announced he was diagnosed with in 2024. “James Van Der Beek was a beloved husband, father, and friend who touched the lives of everyone around him. After a long and courageous battle with cancer, James passed away on February 11, 2026 leaving behind his devoted wife, Kimberly, and their six wonderful children. Throughout his illness, the family faced not only emotional challenges but also significant financial strain as they did everything possible to support James and provide for his care,” the GoFundMe reads.
It continues, “In the wake of this loss, Kimberly and the children are facing an uncertain future. The costs of James’s medical care and the extended fight against cancer have left the family out of funds. 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. The support of friends, family, and the wider community will make a world of difference as they navigate the road ahead.”
The page ends with a message for supporters who wish to donate to Van Der Beek’s family. “Your generosity will help cover essential living expenses, pay bills, and support the children’s education. Every donation, no matter the size, will help Kimberly and her family find hope and security as they rebuild their lives. Thank you for considering a gift to support them,” it reads.
According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is a form of cancer that starts in the colon or the rectum, which makes up the large intestine in the digestive system. Most colorectal cancers start as a growth, known as polyps, on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. Though most polyps are benign, if cancer forms in a polyp, it can grow into a wall of the colon or rectum over time, which can then lead cancer cells to grow into the blood vessels or lymph nodes.
Per the organization, there are 108,860 new cases of colon cancer and 49,990 new cases of rectal cancer so far in 2026, at the time of writing. Colorectal cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and the fourth-leading in women, but the second most common cause of cancer deaths when numbers for men and women are combined. The American Cancer Society predicts that there’ll be 55,230 deaths related to the cancer in 2026.
Van Der Beek announced he was diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer in an interview with People in 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,” he said at the time. “There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good.”
What was James Van Der Beek’s health like before his death?
Two months before his death, Van Der Beek revealed that he was revealing better in an interview on Today in December 2025. “I feel much, much better than I did a couple months ago,” Van Der Beek said at the time. “It’s been a longer journey than I ever thought it would be. It’s required more of me — more patience, more discipline, more strength than I knew I had. I knew I was strong — I didn’t know I was this strong. But I feel good.”
During the interview, Van Der Beek also addressed speculation that he dropped out of a virtual reunion for Dawson’s Creek in September 2025 due to his illness. During the interview, Van Der Beek claimed that he skipped the reunion at the last minute because he was “hit with some stomach bugs,” which caused him to lose weight, but that his absence was “not cancer-related.” “I had lost so much weight because of the stomach virus,” he said. “Although with cancer, everything is like, ‘Why don’t we super size that stomach virus?’”
He added, “The hardest part has been the patience this has required, as I’ll, say, make a plan and then not be able to follow through on it.”
During the interview, he also revealed that he decided to get a colonoscopy after sensing something was “off” in his body in 2023. As he was coming off of the anesthetic, his doctor informed him that he had Stage 3 colorectal cancer. “I went into shock,” he said. “I really don’t think I knew what to do. Neither did my wife. And we drove home in silence. And part of me wanted to panic. Part of me wanted to just freak out. But then another part of my brain was like, ‘You don’t know enough yet.'”
He continued, “One of the things I was really lucky about was when I heard the news, I was like, ‘This is gonna be the best thing that’s ever happened to me.’ 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, and it’s gonna add healthy, happy years to your life.'”
