James Van Der Beek Shared This Special Moment With His Wife Days Before His Death

Published: February 20, 2026

By Kayla DeKraker

Actor James Van Der Beek died last week but not before having an intimate vow renewal ceremony with his wife, Kimberly.

“We decided two days beforehand and our friends got us new rings, filled our bedroom with flowers and candles and we renewed our vows from bed,” Kimberly told PEOPLE, noting that the event was “simple and beautiful and moving.”

A few close friends and family were among those participating in the event over Zoom. Brazilian multi-instrumentalist Poranguí attended and played “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” to end the ceremony.

Van Der Beek, a father to six, frequently let his children and wife know just how much he loved them.

“Being a father has been the most treasured honor of my life,” the DAWSON’S CREEK star wrote on Father’s Day last year. “Thank you to my kids for re-teaching me how to live, laugh, love, and show up in my own life and in the world. And thank you to my superhero of a wife @vanderkimberly who constantly exceeds the boundaries of what I thought was human capacity. I love you all with all my heart.”

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Kimberly announced her husband’s death in a post to Instagram on Feb. 11.

“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” she wrote. “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.”

People in the comment section offered Kimberly and her family their condolences.

“Oh Kimberly. Sending all the love I have,” singer and actress Hilary Duff said. Kristin Chenoweth wrote, “A beautiful heart with light resonating from his soul always.”

Van Der Beek died after a years-long battle with colorectal cancer. The Cleveland Clinic describes this type of cancer as “a cancer that starts in polyps on the inner lining of your colon and rectum. Colon cancer is a type of cancer that can affect your colon or your rectum in your large intestine.” This type of cancer has been on the rise in people under 50 and is now the leading kind of cancer in men and second for women.

Van Der Beek frequently focused on what really mattered: loving his family and others well. His legacy serves as a beautiful reminder to keep the important things in life number one.

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