The Emotional Words James Van Der Beek Shared About Cancer Before Passing

James Van Der Beek passed away on February 11, 2026, after a long battle with colorectal cancer. In his last TV interview, just two months before his death, he appeared calm and at peace. Speaking from his home with Today’s Craig Melvin in December 2025, the 48-year-old actor reflected on how his three-year fight with cancer changed the way he saw life.

He told Melvin that he felt much, much better than I did a couple of months ago and admitted the experience had taught him patience and discipline he never knew he had. His cancer was discovered in 2023 after a routine colonoscopy.

He explained that he had a gut feeling something was wrong, even though his symptoms didn’t seem serious at the time. Van Der Beek remembered getting the news while still waking up from anesthesia. “While part of my brain wanted to panic, another part instinctively told me that this is gonna be the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” he said.

That mindset, he said, helped him see his illness not just as a struggle but as a chance to make big changes in his life. He focused on healthy habits and learned to appreciate every moment.

He also spoke about being open with his six children. “Kids intuitively know when a parent is in pain,” he said. He believed honesty was stronger than trying to act like a superhero. He wanted to be a real, caring dad, not someone who hides his struggles. He credited his wife, Kimberly, for supporting him through everything, calling her the backbone of their family.

James Van Der Beek’s work didn’t stop before he died. He finished filming the Legally Blonde prequel series, Elle, where he plays Dean Wilson. The show is set to premiere on Prime Video in July. He also appeared in the college comedy series Overcompensating and returned as Leroy Lahey in the Tubi sequel Sidelined 2: Intercepted.

He spent his final years on a Texas ranch, a place he loved for its connection to nature. After his death, fans and friends have helped raise over $900,000 through GoFundMe to support Kimberly and the children, keeping the family home and life stable.

Do you think being open with your family about life’s toughest challenges, as James Van Der Beek did, is the key to real resilience? Share your thoughts in the comments.