The “Dawson’s Creek” alum died on Feb. 11, over a year after he shared his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis.

James Van Der Beek and wife Kimberly renewed their wedding vows just days before his death

The "Dawson's Creek" alum died on Feb. 11, over a year after he shared his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis.

By Mekishana Pierre

Mekishana Pierre

Mekishana Pierre is a news writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2025. Her work has previously appeared on *Entertainment Tonight* and Popsugar.

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February 17, 2026 1:42 p.m. ET

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Kimberly Van Der Beek and James Van Der Beek in 2018. Credit:

Tasia Wells/Getty

James Van Der Beek's wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, is sharing the details of the bittersweet vow renewal she shared with her late husband days before his death.

"We decided two days beforehand," Kimberly told PEOPLE of the special day, describing the ceremony as "simple and beautiful and moving." She shared that the couple's friends "got us new rings, filled our bedroom with flowers and candles and we renewed our vows from bed."

The ceremony had their family and a few close friends in attendance, including instrumentalist Poranguí, playing the "most beautiful music." The Brazil-born world music multi-instrumentalist closed the intimate ceremony with "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," as other friends of the couple watched over Zoom.

Kimberly Van Der Beek and James Van Der Beek in 2023.

Rick Kern/Getty

Days later, on Feb. 11, Van Der Beek died at 48 years old, over a year after he shared his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis with the public in November 2024.

Kimberly announced her husband's death on social media, telling fans that he "met his final days with courage, faith, and grace," a sentiment that has since been echoed by several loved ones who recently spent time with him.

Van Der Beek and the film producer met during a trip to Israel shortly after the end of his first marriage in 2009, and tied the knot a year later. The couple welcomed six children together over the course of their marriage: daughters Olivia, 15, Annabel, 12, Emilia, 9½, and Gwendolyn, 7, and sons Joshua, 13, and Jeremiah, 4.

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The family left Los Angeles in 2020 to live in a multimillion-dollar, sprawling 36-acre ranch on the outskirts of Austin, Texas. The Van Der Beek family rented the ranch until the *Dawson's Creek* alum officially purchased the property in January, a representative for the late actor recently confirmed.**

"James secured a down payment for the Texas ranch for the family with the help of friends through a trust so they could shift from rent to mortgage," a spokesperson for the actor told PEOPLE on Saturday. Per Realtor.com, the picturesque location cost $4.76 million and was purchased on Jan. 9, just over a month before the actor died.

James Van Der Beek and Kimberly Van Der Beek with their children.

James Van Der Beek/Instagram

Following Van Der Beek's death, friends of the late actor started a GoFundMe to provide financial support for his family as they faced "an uncertain future," which has surpassed the original $1 million goal. As of Tuesday afternoon, the total was $2.6 million, from more than 50,000 donors.

"The costs of James's medical care and the extended fight against cancer have left the family out of funds," the fundraiser states. "They are working hard to stay in their home and to ensure the children can continue their education and maintain some stability during this incredibly difficult time."

They added that donations would go toward "essential living expenses, [to] pay bills, and support the children's education."

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Despite some protests from social media users criticizing the campaign for funds, the Van Der Beek family has received generous donations from fans and peers alike, including high-value donations from Steven Spielberg, Zoe Saldaña, *Dancing With the Stars* judge Derek Hough, and *Wicked* director Jon M. Chu.

The late actor was vocal about receiving "almost nothing" from *Dawson's Creek *residuals, which his friends have reiterated in explanation of why his family is currently struggling financially in the wake of his death.

James Van Der Beek in 2025.

JC Olivera/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty

Even before his death, Van Der Beek spent months auctioning off items from some of his most iconic roles, including *Dawson's Creek* and *Varsity Blues,* to help pay for his medical care.

"I've been storing these treasures for years, waiting for the right time to do something with them, and with all of the recent unexpected twists and turns life has presented recently, it's clear that the time is now," the actor told PEOPLE in November 2025. "While I have some nostalgia tugging at me as I part with these items, it feels good to be able to offer them through Propstore's auction to share with those who have supported my work over the years."**

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