James Van Der Beek was never afraid to address his own mortality.
Before he passed away on February 11th, the former Dawson’s Creek star openly shared how fighting stage 3 colorectal cancer had given him a fresh outlook on life.
In a video shared on his 48th birthday in March 2025, he revealed he faced a life-threatening experience this year. He explained that he had to confront the reality of his own death.
James Van Der Beek, a father of six – Olivia (15), Joshua (13), Annabel (12), Emilia (9), Gwendolyn (7), and Jeremiah (4) – and husband to Kimberly Van Der Beek, used to define himself by roles like actor, husband, and father. However, he says his cancer diagnosis made those labels feel unimportant.
After receiving treatment, I felt unable to fulfill my roles as a husband and father. I couldn’t help my wife or be there for my children in the way they needed. This led me to a difficult question: who am I, stripped of those roles, just a sick and weakened person alone?
The Varsity Blues actor shared that while meditating, they received a powerful message: ‘I am worthy of love just for being alive.’
It took James a while to come to terms with his diagnosis. He explained that he initially went into shock when he learned he was ill in 2023.
He explained to Today in December that he and his wife were completely lost about what to do, and they drove home without saying a word. He felt a strong urge to panic, but a part of him also realized they needed more information before reacting.
I was so inspired by James’s approach to his cancer. Instead of dwelling on the negative, he actively chose to focus on the good. It was incredible – after getting his diagnosis, he actually shifted his whole perspective and started telling himself, ‘This is going to be the best thing that ever happened to me!’ It really showed me the power of a positive mindset.
He explained to Today that receiving a serious diagnosis sparked a surprising realization: he was finally ready to make big changes he’d previously thought impossible. The most important change, he discovered, was learning to love himself, and understanding that he deserved it.
James added, “Presence is really the gift that cancer has given me.”
He explained that before his cancer diagnosis, he used to see life as a series of moments he wanted to collect. Now, he finds he’s better able to simply enjoy and be present in each moment as it happens.
For a look back at James’ life in pictures, read on.
Angus
Dawson’s Creek
Varsity Blues
Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23
CSI: Cyber
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2026-02-12 00:18