James Van Der Beek was diagnosed with colorectal cancer on August 31, 2023, and passed away at the age of 48 on February 11, 2026.
He was married to business consultant Kimberly Brook on August 1, 2010, and they had six children.
James David Van Der Beek was an American actor famous for portraying Dawson Leery on The WB’s Dawson’s Creek from 1998 to 2003.
He played a fictionalized version of himself on the cult ABC sitcom Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23 and starred as FBI agent Elijah Mundo on CSI: Cyber. His other film credit included Bad Hair, Labor Day, Formosa Betrayed, The Rules of Attraction, Texas Rangers, and Varsity Blues.
Though he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, he didn’t make it public until November 2024. He was privately dealing with this diagnosis with the support of his family.
Sadly, he passed away at 48 on February 11, 2026.
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.
James Van Der Beek
James Van Der Beek Passes Peacefully, Wife Shares Heartbreaking Final Tribute
James Van Der Beek was married twice and is the proud father of six children.
He was married to actress Heather McComb from 2003, but they separated in April 2009. Later, he filed for divorce, and their divorce was finalized in 2010.
Just months after his divorce, Van Der Beek married business consultant Kimberly Brook on August 1, 2010. Their intimate ceremony took place at the Kabbalah Center near Dizengoff Square in Tel Aviv, Israel.
15 years ago today, this woman agreed to be my bride.
James Van Der Beek
There are no words for how much I love and appreciate you. I could not do this without you.
The married couple had six children.
Van Der Beek had been open about their family’s struggles, including the pain of miscarriage. He publicly spoke about a miscarriage Brook suffered in November 2019, just one month after announcing she was pregnant.
He announced that the family was leaving Los Angeles and moving to Texas in September 2020. It marked a fresh start for his growing family in a new environment.
In November 2021, following the birth of their sixth child, he revealed that Brook had actually experienced two miscarriages at 17 weeks or later.
Humbled and overjoyed to announce the safe, happy arrival of Jeremiah Van Der Beek ❤️
James Van Der Beek
After experiencing late-term #pregnancyloss twice in a row (both at 17+ weeks), we kept this one quiet. Truthfully, I was terrified when I found out.
Kimberly Brook announced that the American actor met his final days with courage, faith, and grace, and passed peacefully at 48.
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.
Kimberly Van Der Beek
James Van Der Beek’s Cost of a Private Fight
James Van Der Beek had a net worth of approximately $100,000 at the time of his death in early 2026.
The modest sum reflects the immense financial strain his family endured during his private battle with illness.
Despite a successful career spanning three decades, Van Der Beek’s prolonged medical care consumed nearly all of the family’s financial resources.
His wife, Kimberly, and their six children were left with minimal savings following extensive treatments not fully covered by insurance.
In the wake of his passing, a GoFundMe campaign organized on behalf of Kimberly and the children quickly gained momentum.
The fundraiser aims to cover essential living expenses and household bills, children’s education costs, and help the family remain in their home. Within hours of launching, the campaign had already raised over $700,000.
The Van Der Beek family is working hard to maintain stability during this unimaginably difficult time.
Support from friends, colleagues, and the wider community continues to pour in, offering both financial relief and emotional strength as they navigate the road ahead.
The family’s GoFundMe remains active for those wishing to contribute, with every donation helping to secure the future Kimberly and her children deserve.
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