Lance Joseph Martinez

James Van Der Beek’s Final Birthday Message Resurfaces After His Death, Sharing a Powerful Reflection

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<p>Hollywood is in mourning following the death of actor <strong>James Van Der Beek,</strong> who passed away on February 11, just weeks before what would have been his 49th birthday on March 8, as confirmed by his wife <strong>Kimberly Brook.</strong></p><p>The beloved actor succumbed to <strong>stage 3 colorectal cancer,</strong> a diagnosis he had privately battled before going public in late 2024.</p><p>“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,” Kimberly wrote on his husband’s Instagram.</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DUoR_x4EkTm/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A720020%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="925" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Van Der Beek rose to global fame through his portrayal of<strong> Dawson Leery</strong> in the hit American teen drama <strong><em>Dawson’s Creek</em></strong>, which aired from January 20, 1998 to May 14, 2003, across six successful seasons and became a defining series for a generation.</p><p>He is survived by Kimberly and their six children: daughters <strong>Olivia</strong>, <strong>Annabel, Emilia, </strong>and <strong>Gwendolyn</strong>, and sons <strong>Joshua</strong> and <strong>Jeremiah</strong>. The actor first revealed his cancer diagnosis in an exclusive interview with <strong>PEOPLE</strong> in November 2024, sharing that he was prioritizing his health and family.</p><p>“I have colorectal cancer,” he revealed. “I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family.”</p><p>As we honor his life and legacy as an actor, here’s a look at what James Van Der Beek reflected on during his final birthday on March 8, 2025.</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DG9aMcDOnrJ/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A552625%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong>James as an actor and a husband.<br/></strong></div><p>Beyond the screen, Van Der Beek often spoke about the evolution of his identity: from a Hollywood star to a devoted husband and father. Reflecting on his early fame, he admitted that defining himself solely as an actor, something he later realized “was never really all that fulfilling.”</p><p>“I could define myself then as a loving, capable, strong, supportive husband, father, provider, steward of the land that we’re so lucky to live on,” he said, describing a more grounded answer to life’s enduring questions: “Who am I?” and “What am I?”</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1771577175452[image] - 1580436.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @vanderjames</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>James’ mortality as he faced death.<br/></strong></div><p>As he battled stage 3 colorectal cancer, Van Der Beek confronted a painful shift in identity. During his 48th birthday on March 8 last year, he reflected on the losses he experienced while undergoing treatment.</p><p>“All of those definitions that I cared so deeply about were stripped from me. I was away for treatment, so I could no longer be a husband that was helpful to my wife. I could no longer be a father who could pick up his kids and put them to bed and be there for them,” he said.</p><p>He continued, “I could not be a provider because that wasn’t working. I couldn’t even be a steward of a land because at times I was too weak to prune all the trees during the window that you’re supposed to prune them.”</p><p>His words offered a raw look at the emotional toll of illness, not only the physical decline but the loss of roles that once defined him.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1771577215627[image] - 7038918.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @vanderjames</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>James and how he navigated life through God’s love.<br/></strong></div><p>Facing mortality led Van Der Beek to revisit the fundamental question of identity. If he was no longer able to be an actor or an active father, he asked himself: who was he?</p><p>“And so I was faced with the question, if I am just a too skinny, weak guy alone in an apartment with cancer, what am I? And I meditated and the answer came through,” he shared.</p><p>For him, the answer was rooted in spiritual acceptance and self-worth. “I am worthy of God’s love simply because I exist. And if I’m worthy of God’s love, shouldn’t I also be worthy of my own? And the same is true for you,” he emphasized.</p><p>Van Der Beek said this realization came through the prayers and love directed toward him during his illness.</p><p>“So I offer that to you, however it sits in your consciousness, however it resonates, run with it. And if the word God trips you up, I certainly don’t know, I can’t claim to know what God is or explain God. My efforts to connect to God are an ongoing process that is a constant unfolding mystery to me,” he added.</p><p>He then concluded with a message of universal compassion: “But if it’s a trigger, it feels too religious, you can take the word God out and your mantra can simply be, I am worthy of love because you are.”</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1771577555986[image] - 4807044.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @vanderjames</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Lead photos from <strong>@vanderjames</strong></p>

<p>Here's something to inspire you today from "Dawson's Creek" star James Van Der Beek, who recently passed away at 48 after his cancer battle. </p>

Here's something to inspire you today from "Dawson's Creek" star James Van Der Beek, who recently passed away at 48 after his cancer battle.

'I Am Worthy of Love'—The Late James Van Der Beek’s Final Birthday Message Resurfaces, Sharing a Powerful Reflection

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'I Am Worthy of Love'—The Late James Van Der Beek’s Final Birthday Message Resurfaces, Sharing a Powerful Reflection

Lance Joseph Martinez

Published Feb 20, 2026 10:00 PM PHT

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Updated Feb 20, 2026 10:17 PM PHT

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James Van Der Beek

Kimberly Brook

Death

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Dawson's Creek

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