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I Just Need Time to Heal and Rest.” James Van Der Beek’s Final Emotional Video Message to Fans Reveals His Plans for Recovery — Then Came His Sudden, Shocking Death

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JAMES Van Der Beek shared a hopeful and now-heartbreaking final message to fans.

Less than a month before his shocking death on Wednesday at 48, the iconic Dawson’s Creek star shared that he planned to “recover and rest” before springtime.

A man with light brown hair and blue eyes looks up and to the right, mouth slightly open.
The actor shared a hopeful video with fans in JanuaryCredit: Instagram/vanderjames
 

James Van Der Beek looks directly at the camera, pointing to his chin.
He said he wanted to rest and recover before the springCredit: Instagram/vanderjames
 

James Van Der Beek poses in a black patterned polo shirt and brown pants in front of a blue Fox Studio backdrop.
The actor announced his diagnosis in 2024Credit: Getty
Van Der Beek’s family announced his passing on social media just over a year after he first revealed his diagnosis with stage 3 colorectal cancer.

“Anyone else out there finding that your New Year’s resolution was impossible to keep? I’m going to say something: I don’t think it’s your fault,” the actor said in an Instagram video January 15.

“Why are we celebrating a new year in the dead of winter? Why are we celebrating new beginnings at a time when nature rests?

“I’m going to take winter to recover, to rest, and I’m going to make New Year’s resolutions in the spring. Who’s with me?” Van Der Beek said in the gutwrenching final video.

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The actor went on to explain his reasoning.

“Animals are hibernating! Birds fly south for the winter!” he said.

“The time to celebrate a new beginning, and a new you, and a new resolution, is in the spring, at the vernal equinox, when the flowers bloom and it gets warmer and the birds return.

“That’s how nature does it. Why are we fighting nature?”

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TRAGIC DEATH

The actor died 6:44am Pacific on Wednesday, according to the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office in Texas.

Van Der Beek’s wife, Kimberly, confirmed the news in an Instagram post.

“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.”

Along with his wife, Kimberly, Van Der Beek is survived by their six children Olivia, 14, Joshua, 12, Annabel, 10, Emilia, 8, Gwen, 6, and Jeremiah, 3.

All about James Van Der Beek

DAWSON’S Creek legend James Van Der Beek has died at the age of 48 after a battle with colorectal cancer.

James Van Der Beek shot to fame in 1998 as Dawson Leery, the teenage film geek in Dawson’s Creek who was in love with his neighbor Katie, who played Joey Potter.

That year he went on to be voted one of People Magazine’s Most Beautiful People in the World.

James got his start in small television roles on Clarissa Explains It All in 1993, As The World Turns in 1995 and Aliens in the Family in 1996.

After finding success with the teenage drama, he went on to star in Varsity Blues in 1999, Scary Movie in 2000 and The Rules of Attraction in 2002.

He then had appearances on TV shows Criminal Minds in 2007, Ugly Betty in 2007, One Tree Hill in 2008, and Law and Order in 2011 and 2012.
Other appearances include How I Met Your Mother, CSI and Modern Family.

On the 25th anniversary of Dawson’s Creek, James said: “Twenty-five years ago today, my life changed. Not gradually, not day-by-day … instantly. It was the culmination of five years of auditioning, hundreds of hours on stage, thousands of hours travelling, preparing, dreaming, hoping, hearing ‘no’ and making up reasons to keep going. But the shift was overnight.”

One of James’ final public appearances was over video at the Dawson’s Creek reunion in September last year.

He is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children Olivia, 14, Joshua, 12, Annabel,10, Emilia, 8, Gwen, 6, and Jeremiah, 3.

He first announced his diagnosis in a November 2024 interview with People.

“I have colorectal cancer. I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family,” he said at the time.

In November, Van Der Beek auctioned off some outfits he wore on Dawson’s Creek to pay for treatment, including the clothes he wore in the pilot episode of the show.

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He earned between $26,400 to $52,800 selling the memorabilia, which all went to his cancer treatments.

Van Der Beek was best known for his role as Dawson Leery on the hit show, which ran from 1998 to 2003.

James Van Der Beek, his wife Kimberly, and their six children posing outdoors.
Van Der Beek is survived by his wife and their six childrenCredit: James Van Der Beek/Instagram
 

James Van Der Beek as Dawson Leery.
Dawson’s Creek ended in 2003 after six seasonsCredit: Hulton Archive – Getty
 

James Van Der Beek as Dawson Leery from "Dawson's Creek" in a red sweater.
Van Der Beek was a 90s heartthrob and star of Dawson’s Creek

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Chinese paraglider Peng Yujiang never set out to break records. But moments after launching from the Qilian Mountains, a violent and unexpected updraft seized his wing — dragging him thousands of meters straight up into the sky. Within minutes, he was hurled to a staggering 8,598 meters (28,200 feet) — without oxygen. Higher than Everest Base Camp. Alone. Trapped inside freezing storm clouds at nearly −40°C, his body began icing over mid-air. His camera captured the unthinkable: frost forming across his face and hands as he fought shock, hypoxia, and blinding cold just to stay conscious.

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James Van Der Beek’s journey has reached its end, but his final words are just beginning to resonate. After a public and brave fight against cancer, the actor’s passing was followed by the release of his last request—a 3-word wish that has left the public stunned and deeply moved. What did James want the world to remember? We dive into the life and final moments of an actor who redefined a generation.
James Van Der Beek’s journey has reached its end, but his final words are just beginning to resonate. After a public and brave fight against cancer, the actor’s passing was followed by the release of his last request—a 3-word wish that has left the public stunned and deeply moved. What did James want the world to remember? We dive into the life and final moments of an actor who redefined a generation.

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