Stacey Keibler/Instagram; Erin Fetherston/Instagram
NEED TO KNOW
James Van Der Beek died on Wednesday, Feb. 11, at age 48, his wife Kimberly Van Der Beek announced on Instagram
The actor, who was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in Aug. 2023, died "peacefully," Kimberly said
After the news broke of his death, his loved ones and closest friends shared their final memories with James
James Van Der Beekwas surrounded by loved ones before his death.
His wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, whoannounced the news of his death at age 48 on Feb. 11, wrote in an Instagrampostthat he "met his final days with courage, faith, and grace." The actor announced in 2024 that hehad been diagnosed with colorectal cancera year prior.
After the news of his death was shared, James' friends, fans and loved ones, including many in his inner circle, revealed they had spent time with him just before he died.
Alfonso Ribeirowrote in a comment of Kimberly's post, "lucky I got to be there to say goodbye."
ActorMehcad Brooksechoed what Ribeiro shared. "Being there with you these past days has been the greatest honor of my life," Brooks wrote in the comments section. "Until we meet again my beautiful brother."
Stacey Keibler/Instagram
Stacy Keiblersimilarly wrote that she spent time with James before his death and shared aphotowith him on social media. In the pic, he was pictured sitting in a wheelchair looking at the sunset.
"Spending these final days with you has been a true gift from God. I have never been so present in my life," Keibler, 46, began in a lengthy caption. "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 colors and you let it change you too."
"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."
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Keibler shared that "the other night," she and James "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…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."
She called the actor a "gift," an "incredible husband" and an "extraordinary dad" to the six kids he shares with Kimberly. "It has been an honor to stand beside your family in these sacred moments," Keibler wrote.
"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."
Erin Fetherston/Instagram
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Another friend of James', designer Erin Fetherston, also confirmed that she spent time with him in his final days. In an Instagrampost, Fetherston shared several photos of James, including a shot of him in bed as she held his hand.
"What an honor it was to have a seat at your table and to call you a best friend," Fetherston wrote of James. "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 honor — because you always knew the importance of joy. We love you. Always."
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