On February 11, 2026, James Van Der Beek tragically passed away at the age of 48. His wife Kimberly shared a statement announcing his passing, also on behalf of their six kids.
"Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning," it read. "He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend."
He shared his colorectal cancer diagnosis over a year prior, in November 2024. "Apologies to all the people in my life who I'd planned on telling myself," he penned on social media after sharing the news. "Nothing about this process has occurred on my preferred timeline."
Here's what to know about his family-of-eight…
© Getty ImagesOlivia Van Der Beek, 15
The oldest of James and Kimberly's six children, Olivia is the only one of their kids to be born in a hospital. She was born on September 25, 2010 and was named after an olive tree that the couple often spent time under while in Israel.
The teen made her TV debut beside her dad in February 2024, when they competed on the Fox game show We Are Family. James proudly gushed about it on Instagram, writing: "So proud of my baby girl. And I call her that because when I watched her tonight, all I could see was the newborn in the bassinet who I could not stop looking at in awe."
© InstagramJoshua Van Der Beek, 13
Joshua, James and Kimberly's oldest son, was born on March 13, 2012, the first of their five home births. Just like his older sister, Joshua is a dead-ringer for his parents with his blonde locks and bright eyes.
In a tribute post on his 12th birthday, the Dawson's Creek star commented on his son's "high weirdness" and "sense of humor," adding: "I cherish our adventures, your questions, and even the highly questionable 'facts' you’re so fond of dispensing."
© InstagramAnnabel Van Der Beek, 12
Annabel was born on January 25, 2014, with the actor revealing her name during an appearance on The Talk, explaining that like her older sister, the parents were waiting to first meet her before naming her.
In a tribute on her birthday, the actor's last social media post before his death, he wrote: "In this crazy world, it's a wonder to me that you've managed to stay so open, so tender, and so genuinely good."
© InstagramEmilia Van Der Beek, 9
Emilia was born on March 23, 2016 in the family's Los Angeles home. James praised her intelligence and dubbed her an "old soul" in a message to her on her birthday, writing: "You came in an old soul… and continue to blow us away with each passing day."
"Whether you're asking big cosmic questions or making sure I have everything I need for the day before ushering me out the door on time to drive you to school, I listen to 100% of what you have to say."
© InstagramGwendolyn Van Der Beek, 7
James and Kimberly welcomed their youngest daughter Gwendolyn on June 15, 2018, with the How I Met Your Mother actor noting that of all his kids, she is definitely the sassiest.
"Whether you’re making astute observations about the world, talking smack, or just playing to see what kind of reaction you get…," he joked in a birthday tribute. Thank you for teaching me about patience, presence, and how much fun life can be when you’re not shy about grabbing the biggest possible slice at all times."
© InstagramJeremiah Van Der Beek, 4
Jeremiah is the youngest in the family, born on October 10, 2021, and turning into quite the active kid. Jeremiah was born after Kimberly experienced two difficult miscarriages, and they waited five weeks after his birth to announce his arrival.
James penned of his son on social media: "Thank you for barging your way into our lives. Thank you for all the unique ways in which you challenge me (quite the feat after five kids), and thank you for being the best snuggler on the planet."
