One Month Before His Death James Van Der Beek Bought a $4.7m Texas Ranch

James Van Der Beek made a final, significant move to secure his family’s future in the month leading up to his passing. The beloved actor, who died on February 11 after a battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer, finalized the purchase of the sprawling Texas ranch where he and his family had lived for several years.

According to property records, the transaction was completed on January 9 for $4.76 million, transforming their long-term rental into a permanent family legacy. The sprawling 36-acre estate is located in Spicewood, just outside of Austin, and is situated along the scenic Pedernales River.

The main residence spans over 5,000 square feet and features five bedrooms and three bathrooms, providing ample space for his wife, Kimberly, and their six children. The property also includes several guest cabins and a private tram that leads down to the water, embodying the hippie cowboy lifestyle the actor embraced after leaving Los Angeles in 2020.

Despite this major real estate acquisition, the family’s financial situation became precarious due to the staggering costs associated with Van Der Beek’s medical care. A GoFundMe campaign launched by close friends shortly after his death revealed that the family had exhausted their savings during his two-year fight against cancer.

The fundraiser has seen an incredible outpouring of support, raising over $2.5 million to help Kimberly and the children cover living expenses and remain in their home. In the final months of his life, Van Der Beek was remarkably open about the physical and emotional toll of his illness.

He shared that his diagnosis in 2023 forced him to reevaluate his identity beyond his career, famously stating that I am worthy of love simply because I exist. He even auctioned off iconic items from his acting career, including his Varsity Blues jerseys and Dawson’s Creek memorabilia, to help offset the financial burden of his treatments.

While he stepped back from many high-profile projects during his illness, the actor remained active in the industry as long as his health permitted. He recently lent his voice to the animated series Vampirina and had been working on a deeply personal memoir that aimed to chronicle his journey with both fame and fatherhood.

His most recent on-screen appearance was a surprise video cameo for a charity event, where he continued to champion cancer awareness and early screening. James Van Der Beek’s career spanned decades, but he will forever be synonymous with the late-90s cultural phenomenon Dawson’s Creek.

Beyond the creek, he showcased his range in films like The Rules of Attraction and the cult favorite Varsity Blues, where he played a high school quarterback in a small Texas town—a setting that would eventually become his real-life home. He is survived by his wife and their children: Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, and Jeremiah.

The actor’s legacy is now tied to the land he fought to preserve for his children, a sanctuary where they can find a connection to nature and the quiet peace he sought in his final years.

As the Hollywood community continues to mourn his loss, tributes have poured in from former co-stars, including Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson, who remembered him as a man of profound integrity and kindness.

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