James Van Der Beek was an American actor best known for playing Dawson Leery on Dawson's Creek. At the time of his death in February 2026, his estimated net worth was around $8 million. He passed away at age 48 after a battle with stage III colorectal cancer, leaving behind his wife Kimberly and their six children.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | James David Van Der Beek |
| Date of Birth | March 8, 1977 |
| Date of Death | February 11, 2026 |
| Age at Death | 48 |
| Birthplace | Cheshire, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Height | 6'0" (1.83 m) |
| Profession | Actor |
| Known For | Dawson's Creek, Varsity Blues |
| Marriages | Heather McComb (2003–2010), Kimberly Brook (2010–2026) |
| Children | 6 (Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, Jeremiah) |
| Estimated Net Worth | ~$8 million |
Early Life
James David Van Der Beek was born on March 8, 1977, in Cheshire, Connecticut, to Melinda, a former dancer and gymnastics teacher, and James William Van Der Beek, a cellular phone company executive and former baseball pitcher. He was of Dutch ancestry and had a brother, Jared, and a sister, Juliana.
At age 15, Van Der Beek moved to New York City to pursue professional acting, making his Broadway debut at 16. He attended Cheshire Academy for high school and enrolled at Drew University on an academic scholarship, where he studied English before dropping out to focus on his acting career.
Acting Career
Van Der Beek's breakout came in 1998 when he was cast as the titular Dawson Leery on The WB's Dawson's Creek, which ran for six seasons until 2003. The role made him a teen idol of the late 1990s and early 2000s. His film credits included Varsity Blues (1999), which earned him an MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance, Texas Rangers (2001), and The Rules of Attraction (2002).
In later years, he reinvented himself in self-aware roles, playing a fictionalized version of himself on ABC's Don't Trust the B—- in Apartment 23 (2012–2013), starring as FBI agent Elijah Mundo on CSI: Cyber (2015–2016), and appearing as Matt Bromley in the first season of FX's Pose (2018). He also co-created, wrote, and produced What Would Diplo Do?, in which he portrayed the DJ and producer Diplo. Other credits included Formosa Betrayed (2009), Labor Day (2013), and Bad Hair (2020).
Wife and Family
Van Der Beek was married twice. His first marriage was to actress Heather McComb, from 2003 to 2010. On August 1, 2010, he married business consultant Kimberly Brook in an intimate ceremony at the Kabbalah Center in Tel Aviv, Israel.
The couple had six children together: daughters Olivia (born 2010), Annabel (born 2014), Emilia (born 2016), and Gwendolyn (born 2018), and sons Joshua (born 2012) and Jeremiah (born 2021). The family relocated from Los Angeles to Texas in September 2020. Van Der Beek publicly shared that the couple had suffered two late-term pregnancy losses before the births of their younger children.
Illness and Death
In November 2024, Van Der Beek revealed in a statement to People that he had been diagnosed with stage III colorectal cancer, discovered during a routine colonoscopy the previous year. He said he had been privately dealing with the diagnosis with his family's support and expressed optimism about his treatment.
James Van Der Beek died on February 11, 2026, at the age of 48. His family confirmed the news in a statement shared to his social media page, saying he "passed peacefully" and asking for privacy as they grieved. He was remembered by co-stars and fans for his warmth, his openness about fatherhood, and his efforts to raise awareness of colorectal cancer in younger adults.
Cancer Advocacy and Family Fund
After revealing his diagnosis publicly in November 2024 — while preparing to appear on the U.S. charity television special The Real Full Monty — Van Der Beek became an outspoken advocate for early colon cancer screening. He spoke openly about his treatment and recovery, telling Today that his diagnosis taught him what it meant to slow down and pay attention to his health, and he used his platform to encourage others to take screening seriously.
In November 2025, one year after announcing his diagnosis, Van Der Beek revealed plans to auction off memorabilia and treasured keepsakes from his years in television and film to help fund his cancer treatment. A GoFundMe page was also established to support his family, describing the significant financial strain the family faced during his illness as they sought the best possible care for him. The fundraiser's goal was $550,000, and by the time of reporting it had raised more than $2 million. His wife Kimberly shared the fundraising link again after his passing, asking for help so the family could remain in their home and the children could continue their education.
Emmy Tribute and Lasting Legacy
In September 2026, Van Der Beek was honored in the In Memoriam segment of the Emmy Awards, which recognized television figures who died over the previous year. Noah Kahan performed "Bridge Over Troubled Water" during the montage, and Van Der Beek was remembered alongside fellow honorees including Dolly Parton, Tim Curry, Catherine O'Hara, Sam Neill, Eric Dane, and Rob Reiner.
Tributes from his Dawson's Creek family continued well after his passing. In October 2026, co-stars including Joshua Jackson and Mary-Margaret Humes reunited at the Barbara Berlanti Heroes Gala in Santa Monica, which supports the nonprofit F Cancer and honored Van Der Beek's cancer fight. Series creator Kevin Williamson, who had known him since casting him as Dawson Leery, said Van Der Beek "handled his cancer with such grace and courage" and called losing him deeply personal. On August 1, 2026, Kimberly marked what would have been the couple's 16th wedding anniversary, sharing photos of their years together and noting that they had renewed their vows in his final days.
Net Worth
At the time of his death, James Van Der Beek's estimated net worth was around $8 million, according to multiple biographical outlets. Some sources placed the figure as low as $6 million or as high as $13 million, but the $8 million estimate was the most widely cited.
His wealth came primarily from his acting career, including his six seasons on Dawson's Creek, film roles such as Varsity Blues (for which he reportedly earned $200,000) and Texas Rangers (reportedly $3 million), and later television work. He also earned income from producing and writing, and invested in real estate, including a Valley Village property purchased in 2005.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was James Van Der Beek's net worth?
James Van Der Beek's estimated net worth was around $8 million at the time of his death in 2026. The figure is an estimate based on published reports and was never confirmed by his family.
How did James Van Der Beek die?
He died on February 11, 2026, at age 48 after a battle with stage III colorectal cancer. He had revealed his diagnosis publicly in November 2024.
Who was James Van Der Beek's wife?
He was married to Kimberly Brook (née Kimberly Van Der Beek) from August 2010 until his death. His first wife was actress Heather McComb, from 2003 to 2010.
How many children did James Van Der Beek have?
He had six children with his wife Kimberly: four daughters (Olivia, Annabel, Emilia, and Gwendolyn) and two sons (Joshua and Jeremiah).
What was James Van Der Beek famous for?
He was best known for playing Dawson Leery on the hit teen drama Dawson's Creek (1998–2003) and for his roles in Varsity Blues, CSI: Cyber, and Don't Trust the B—- in Apartment 23.