James Van Der Beek Faced Serious Financial Struggles in the Last Years of His Life

James Van Der Beek faced serious financial struggles in the years before his death, with the actor and his wife, Kimberly, managing a major tax debt just before he was diagnosed with cancer. According to TMZ, the couple owed the IRS around $95,000 for 2017 and $174,000 for 2019, adding up to over $269,000.

“It was a lot to handle, but we got it sorted out quickly,” a source said, noting that the debt was fully paid and the lien released by April 2022. This happened just before Van Der Beek began his fight with stage 3 colorectal cancer, which he publicly revealed in late 2024.

Even while dealing with his illness, Van Der Beek remained focused on his family. Weeks before his death, the couple finalized the purchase of a $4 million home in Texas on 34 acres, which had previously been a rental. Friends reportedly helped with the down payment so the family of eight could have a permanent place to live.

After Van Der Beek passed away on February 11 at age 48, fans and friends showed an outpouring of support. A GoFundMe was set up for Kimberly and their six children, quickly raising over $2 million by mid-February.

Despite his health challenges, Van Der Beek kept working. He appeared in a guest role on Amazon Prime Video’s Overcompensating and took part in the Fox special The Real Full Monty to promote cancer awareness. He also returned to his beloved Dawson Creek universe in the sequel Sidelined: The QB and Me, filming alongside younger stars like Noah Beck.

The actor had also signed on for the Legally Blonde prequel series, Elle, where he was set to play a mayoral candidate. Sources say he was working on a personal memoir as well, reflecting on his journey from teen star to father and his public battle with illness, though the book was unfinished at the time of his death.

Van Der Beek’s last television appearance was a surprise cameo in the series finale of Walker, playing a quirky neighbor in a role meant to set up a bigger storyline. Although the series didn’t continue, fans were reminded of his signature humor and charm.

From Dawson Leery to his recent advocacy for early cancer detection, James Van Der Beek’s life and career left a lasting mark on Hollywood and the hearts of his many fans.

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