James Van Der Beek’s final photo was an emotional tribute to his daughter and father

James Van Der Beek’s final Instagram post was a touching picture of him with his daughter Annabel.

The “Dawson’s Creek” alum died Wednesday, his wife, Kimberly, confirmed. Van Der Beek had been battling colorectal cancer since August 2023.

In his final Instagram post on Jan. 25, Van Der Beek paid tribute to both Annabel, 12, and his father, James, on their joint birthdays.

In the photo, the actor wore a sweater and a beanie, wrapping his arms around Annabel as she hugged him back. He also shared a picture of his father with Annabel.

James Van Der Beek embracing his daughter.
James Van Der Beek’s final photo posted on his Instagram was a sweet picture of him with his daughter Annabel. vanderjames/Instagram

James Van Der Beek wearing a flat cap and a cardigan.
The “Dawson’s Creek” alum died Wednesday after a battle with colorectal cancer. James Van Der Beek/Instagram

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“I can recognize the same open, warm, loving, gentle heart,” he wrote of the two. “I see the care and dedication you shower upon those you love most. I see the same out-of-the-box Aquarian creativity and originality.”

“And you both make every room you’re in more fun,” he continued. “Different senes of humor, but you both have a way of alchemizing the vibe around you in such a subtle way one can almost miss how powerfully you do this.”

Van Der Beek shared that he was “insanely grateful” to have the two in his life.

“The world is a better place because the two of you are in it,” he wrote. “Happy birthday, guys. I love you with all my heart ❤️.”

Close-up of James Van Der Beek looking at the camera.
His last Instagram post was a tribute to both his daughter Annabel and his father, James, who share the same Jan. 25 birthday. vanderjames/Instagram

James Van Der Beek, his wife Kimberly, and their six children posing in front of a Kalahari Resorts entrance.
Van Der Beek shared six children with his wife, Kimberly. vanderjames/Instagram

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Van Der Beek was 48 years old. He shared six children with Kimberly: Olivia, 14, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 12, Emilia, 8, Gwendolyn, 6, and Jeremiah, 3.

Kimberly shared on Wednesday that the actor “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,” she wrote.

“For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”

James Van Der Beek and his wife Kimberly Van Der Beek smiling at the camera with water and rocky terrain in the background.
Van Der Beek had been battling colorectal cancer since August 2023. James Van Der Beek/Instagram

Cast shot of Dawson's Creek main characters (clockwise, from top): James Van Der Beek, Joshua Jackson, Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams.
In September 2025, he was forced to drop out of the long-awaited “Dawson’s Creek” reunion due to health issues. ©Columbia Tristar/Courtesy Everett Collection

In September 2025, Van Der Beek had to drop out of the long-awaited “Dawson’s Creek” reunion, noting he was battling two stomach viruses.

He noted that the charity event, put on in partnership with F Cancer, was the “evening [he’d] been looking forward to most” since co-star Michelle Williams came up with the idea last January.

“Despite every effort… I won’t get to be there,” Van Der Beek, who played Dawson Leery for six seasons, confirmed. “I won’t get to stand on that stage and thank every soul in the theater for showing up for me, and against cancer, when I needed it most.

Van Der Beek announced his cancer diagnosis in November 2024.

In his final interview in December 2025, he said the diagnosis was the “best thing that ever happened” to him.