James Van Der Beek Shared a Tender Final Instagram Message About His Dad and Daughter
James Van Der Beek’s last message to the world was quiet, loving, and focused on family. It was not written as a farewell. Instead, it read like a moment of gratitude, shared while he was still here.
The actor passed away on Wednesday, February 11, at the age of forty-eight after living with stage three colorectal cancer for several years. His death was confirmed by his family, who said he was surrounded by love. In the days since, fans have returned to his final Instagram post, which now feels especially meaningful.
On January 25, just over two weeks before his death, Van Der Beek posted a tribute on Instagram honoring his father and his daughter Annabel, who share the same birthday. The post did not mention illness or fear. It focused on personality, connection, and love passed down through generations.
In the caption, he wrote about how his father and daughter once seemed very different to him, but over time, he realized they shared the same spirit. He described them as having an open, warm, loving, gentle heart and praised their creativity and emotional presence.
He also spoke about how they change the feeling of any room they walk into. He ended the message by saying he felt insanely grateful to have them in his life. The post came directly from Van Der Beek’s verified Instagram account.
Around the same time, his wife Kimberly shared her own small glimpse into their relationship. In late December, she posted a photo of the two of them together with the caption Me and my bae. It was simple and affectionate, and it reflected the closeness they maintained during a very difficult period.
Behind these moments, Van Der Beek had been dealing with intense treatment and uncertainty. His cancer journey began in 2023, though he did not speak publicly about it until late 2024.
When he did share his diagnosis, he said he was doing everything he could to fight the disease and stay present for his six children, Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, and Jeremiah.
In one of his final major interviews, Van Der Beek spoke openly about the toll the illness had taken. Appearing on the Today show with Craig Melvin in December 2025, he said the experience demanded more patience, more discipline, more strength than I ever thought I had.
At the same time, he shared that he was feeling better than he had earlier in the year and was grateful for that progress. The interview aired on NBC’s Today. Even when his health limited what he could physically do, Van Der Beek stayed connected to fans and causes that mattered to him.
In September 2025, he was unable to attend a Dawson’s Creek reunion charity event in New York due to illness. Instead, he sent a surprise video message that was played for the audience. Many attendees later said it was one of the most emotional moments of the night.
During his illness, he also became vocal about the importance of early cancer screenings. In an interview with Business Insider, he said that if sharing his story could help even one person catch cancer earlier, that would be magic. Advocacy became a quiet but important part of his final years.
As of today, tributes continue to pour in from fans and former castmates who remember him not only as a television icon but as a thoughtful and deeply present person. His final on-screen role as Dean Wilson in the Legally Blonde prequel series Elle is still scheduled to be released on Prime Video later this summer, giving audiences one last chance to see him at work.
His final Instagram post now stands as a record of what mattered most to him in the end. It was not about fame or legacy. It was about family, connection, and love that stretches across generations.
Tell us about your favorite James Van Der Beek role or a way that he has inspired you with his openness and strength? Share your memories in the comments.
