James Van Der Beek dies at 48: Who is Dawson’s Creek actor's wife Kimberly? All you need to know about the family, who express gratitude for fundraiser

Actor James Van Der Beek died at the age of 48 on February 11. His wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, confirmed the news through an Instagram post. He is survived by his wife and their six children. The actor breathed his last over a year after he shared that he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in November 2024.

James Van Der Beek passes away at 48

Taking to Instagram, Kimberly shared the news and wrote, ""Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning," she wrote. "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."

Now, emotional fans are also wondering about their love story and how it all started.



According to People report, Kimberly Van Der Beek is a former associate producer on the 2010 documentary Teenage Paparazzo, which premiered at Sundace Film Festival in 2010. She met James during a group trip to Israel in 2009, shortly after his divorce from actress Heather McComb. James was looking for a real relationship and then found Kimberly. on August 1, 2010, they married in an intimate ceremony in Tel Aviv.

James announced the happy news on X (formerly Twitter), "The woman I love did me the honor of became my wife today," he wrote in the since-deleted post. "I look forward to earning her for the rest of my life."

The duo became proud parents of six children - four daughters and two sons.

He had revealed during his cancer battle how his wife, children and the five dogs were important to him. In August 2025, he said: "When I was getting treatment and away from the beautiful cacophony of six kids and 36 acres and five dogs and a bearded dragon and the beautiful chaos that is my life, in the quiet, I realized how negatively I was talking to myself."

Family thanks everyone during difficult time

Now, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support James Van Der Beek’s wife, Kimberly, and their six children following the actor’s death on Tuesday. The Dawson’s Creek and Varsity Blues actor passed away at 48 after a battle with colorectal (bowel) cancer. As per the Mint report, the fundraiser has hit $800K mark after actor's death.

In a recent Instagram Story, Kimberly shared that her friends had created a fundraiser link to support her and their children during this difficult time. She expressed her gratitude while also acknowledging her heartbreak.