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The spotlight faded long before the final curtain call.
James Van Der Beek, best known for his role on Dawson's Creek, died on Feb. 11 at age 48 after a battle with colorectal cancer. He leaves behind his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their six children.
For many fans, he will always be Dawson Leery. But in recent years, Van Der Beek's life looked very different from his late 1990s fame. After marrying Kimberly in 2010, he focused on raising a large family. By the time he publicly revealed his cancer diagnosis in 2023, home had become his center of gravity.
In a November 2024 interview with PEOPLE, he described his family as "incredible" and credited them with helping him through treatment. Just weeks before his death, he shared a birthday tribute to his daughter Annabel, writing about her kindness and creativity. The message reflected how deeply fatherhood shaped his final years.
Family was no longer a backdrop to his career. It was the main story.
A life built around six children
Olivia Van Der Beek, 15, was born in Los Angeles on Sept. 25, 2010. In February 2024, she made her television debut alongside her father on Fox's We Are Family, performing "I Hope You Dance". The appearance marked a rare public father-daughter moment on primetime television.
Joshua Van Der Beek, 13, was born on March 13, 2012, during a home birth following a breech pregnancy. Kimberly detailed the experience in an essay for PEOPLE. James often described Joshua as thoughtful and analytical. The pair bonded over football and attended a Green Bay Packers game at Lambeau Field in 2022.
Annabel Leah Van Der Beek, 12, arrived on Jan. 25, 2014. Van Der Beek frequently celebrated her adventurous personality. He once wrote that from the moment they met her, he knew they were "in for an adventure."
Emilia Van Der Beek, 9, was born on March 23, 2016, followed by Gwendolyn Van Der Beek, 7, on June 15, 2018. Both were delivered at home in Los Angeles.
In 2020, the family relocated from California to Texas.
The move marked a clear shift away from Hollywood and toward a quieter, ranch-centered life.
Jeremiah "Remi" Van Der Beek, 4, was born on Oct. 10, 2021, at the family's Texas ranch. His arrival followed previously disclosed pregnancy losses, something the couple had spoken about publicly in emotional interviews.
His illness and the bigger health conversation
Colorectal cancer has increasingly affected younger adults. According to the American Cancer Society, cases among people under 50 have been rising steadily over the past decade. Updated screening guidelines now recommend beginning regular screenings at age 45.
Van Der Beek's diagnosis placed him within that broader national trend.
Friends and former co-stars from Dawson's Creek shared condolences following his death. Industry analysts noted how dramatically his priorities had evolved since his rise to fame in the late 1990s. At his peak, he was one of network television's most recognizable faces. In his final chapter, he was a father of six living outside the Hollywood system.
His legacy is measured not only in television ratings, but in the family he built.
Kimberly and their children remain in Texas, surrounded by close friends and extended family. The public remembers a teen drama icon. His children remember the man who showed up every day, even when the cameras were gone.
Sources include interviews published by PEOPLE (2010-2024), data from the American Cancer Society on colorectal cancer trends, and verified television appearances and public records.