The friends and family of James Van Der Beek have shared emotional insights into how the Dawson's Creek actor spent his final days on earth.
Van Der Beek's passing was announced yesterday (11 Feb) following a two-year battle with bowel cancer.
According to his loved ones, he died 'peacefully' at his home, aged 48.
"Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning," an official statement on his passing began. "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.
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"Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend."
Van Der Beek had been diagnosed with cancer in late 2023 after a routine screening revealed the existence of a tumour. It wasn't until November 2024 that the father-of-six made his diagnosis public knowledge.
Confirming the disease had since developed into stage three colorectal cancer, he claimed he'd planned to break the news through an awareness-raising interview with PEOPLE, but had been forced to speak out after discovering another tabloid outlet had threatened to leak the news.
Van Der Beek's wife Kimberly also announced his passing on social media, sharing a portrait of her beloved husband, whom she wed in 2010 in a small ceremony near Dizengoff Square in Tel Aviv, Israel.
In the comments of the post, a number of family friends - including several fellow Hollywood stars - shared tributes to the Varsity Blues star, as well as fond memories they made with Van Der Beek in his final days.
Long-time pal and The Fresh Prince of Bel Air actor Alfonso Ribeiro - who is godfather to Van Der Beek's daughter Gwendolyn, seven - wrote below Kimberly's post that he was 'lucky I got to be there to say goodbye'.
In a separate tribute shared to his own account, the 54-year-old claimed he'd been left 'so broken' by the news.
Ribeiro wrote in the caption of a snap of he and Van Der Beek together: "He was my true friend brother and life guide. I was with him through this horrible journey to beat cancer.
"His family and friends went on this roller coaster ride. The highs when it looked like he had it beat to the breaking lows of it coming back.
"I’ve learned so much from james."
He added of Kimberly and her children: "I will forever be in debt for all they’ve given me and my family. He will live forever in my heart. I will always be there for their children. I will always hold my role as Gwen’s Goddie daddy as one of the most important roles of my life.
"I love you James and know I have a guardian angel watching over me. Being able to say goodbye this weekend will always live with me.
"RIP my brother. RIP."
Another of Van Der Beek's entertainment industry buddies, Stacy Keibler also shared a tribute to the fallen star, revealing the two had spent time together prior to his passing.
The retired professional wrestler and cheerleader shared a snap of she and the Connecticut-born actor - who is sitting in a wheelchair - watching the sun go down, captioned: "Spending these final days with you has been a true gift from God.
"I have never been so present in my life. When you know time is sacred, you don’t waste a single breath. You don’t rush. You don’t scroll. You don’t worry about tomorrow. You sit. You listen. You hold hands. You watch the sky change colours and you let it change you too."
Keibler, 46, added: "In these past days, you taught me more about being present than any book ever could. You showed me what it looks like to trust God’s plan, even when it breaks your heart. Especially when it breaks your heart."
She added that, 'the other night', she and Van Der Beek had 'watched the sunset together as you shared your wisdom, your hopes, and the promises we made to each other'.
"We talked about how this world can feel upside down," Keibler continued. "And how maybe heaven needs your spirit now to help steady us down here.
"And just as the sun slipped away, a shooting star crossed the sky…as if to remind us that none of this is random."
Describing Van Der Been as 'a gift', 'an incredible husband' and an 'extraordinary dad', she concluded: "It has been an honor to stand beside your family in these sacred moments.
"You have given this world so many gifts. Your presence was a bright light in my life, and in so many others. And while your physical body may no longer be here, I know your spirit is doing big things. I feel it already.
"We may have lost a good one here on earth… but heaven gained something extraordinary."
American designer Erin Fetherston also shared a photo of herself visiting Van Der Beek in the days prior to his passing.
"What an honour it was to have a seat at your table and to call you a best friend," she wrote. "The space you leave behind can never be filled, but we will do our best to shower your beautiful family with love and remember to keep dancing in your honour — because you always knew the importance of joy."
The 44-year-old added: "We love you. Always."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.
Topics: Celebrity, US News, Health, Bowel cancer, Cancer
Rhianna Benson