James Van Der Beek’s Final Instagram Post Was a Heartfelt Tribute to His Father and Young Daughter
James Van Der Beek’s final address to his fans and family was not a goodbye, but a celebration of the generational love he leaves behind. The actor passed away on Wednesday, February 11, at the age of forty-eight after a courageous, multi-year battle with stage three colorectal cancer.
Just two weeks earlier, on January 25, he shared what would become his final Instagram post, a moving tribute to his daughter Annabel and his father, who share the same birthday.
In the post, Van Der Beek reflected on the evolution of his daughter and father, admitting that while they initially seemed different, he eventually recognized the same open, warm, loving, gentle heart in both of them.
He spoke with awe about their out-of-the-box Aquarian creativity and their unique ability to alchemize the energy of any room they entered. His words captured the essence of a man who was deeply present in his final days, writing that he was insanely grateful to have such marvels in his life.
The actor’s wife, Kimberly, had also recently shared a glimpse into their bond, posting a photo of the pair in late December with the simple caption, Me and my bae. Behind the scenes of these tender family moments, Van Der Beek had been privately and then publicly navigating a grueling health journey that began in 2023.
He initially shared his diagnosis in late 2024, emphasizing that he was taking every step possible to resolve the illness with the support of his six children: Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, and Jeremiah.
In one of his last major interviews with Craig Melvin on the Today show, which aired in December 2025, Van Der Beek appeared remarkably positive. He admitted that the journey had required more patience, more discipline, more strength than he ever imagined he possessed.
While he acknowledged the difficulty of the process, he noted that he felt much better than he had in previous months. His resilience was evident as he continued to engage with his community, even when his health prevented him from attending events in person.
In September 2025, he was forced to miss a Dawson’s Creek reunion charity event in New York City due to illness, but he made sure to send a surprise video message to the guests. His castmates and fans were moved by his determination to remain connected to the legacy of the show that made him a household name.
Throughout his fight, he became a vocal advocate for early cancer screenings, telling Business Insider that if his story could save even one person from the same struggle, it would be magic.
As of today, the entertainment world is mourning the loss of a man who evolved from a nineties teen heartthrob into a pillar of strength and fatherhood. His final performance as Dean Wilson in the Legally Blonde prequel series Elle is still slated for a posthumous release on Prime Video this summer.
Would you like to share your favorite James Van Der Beek role or a way his openness about his health journey impacted you in the comments? Share your memories in the comments.