James Van Der Beek Remembered by Friends Following His Passing

James Van Der Beek passed away on Wednesday at the age of 48 after a bravely fought battle with colorectal cancer. In the wake of his passing, friends are sharing heartfelt memories of their time with him.

Shortly after the announcement of his death, former WWE star Stacey Keibler took to Instagram to post a touching image of herself with Van Der Beek, gazing at a sunset together. In the photo, he appears to be in a wheelchair.

“Spending these last days with you was a true gift from God,” she expressed in her caption. “I’ve never felt so present. When you know time is precious, every breath matters. You take it slow, you don’t scroll aimlessly. You sit, you listen, you hold hands. You drink in sunsets, and let those moments wash over you.”

Keibler reflected on her time with him, saying he taught her “more about living in the moment than any book ever could” and explored sentiments about trusting in God’s plan, even during heartache.

They reminisced about the world feeling topsy-turvy and mused about how maybe, just maybe, the heavens needed him. As they watched the sun set, a shooting star streaked by, which felt almost magical, like a reminder of their connection.

She referred to him as not only an “amazing husband” and “extraordinary father” but also a true gift to those who knew him, adding how grounded and strong he remained throughout his illness. His devotion to his wife and six children was evident.

Keibler expressed her honor at being there for Van Der Beek’s family during such a sacred time, remarking on how inspiring it was to see him fight courageously while maintaining his joyful spirit. “Your presence was a bright light to many,” she wrote, “and while your body is no longer with us, I feel you are doing great things. Every sunset, every rainbow reminds me of you.”

Designer Erin Featherston also took to social media, sharing her fond memories with Van Der Beek. One specific photo showed her smiling while holding his hand as he lay in bed. “You were loved by the whole world, but to us, you were Uncle James,” she said. “You showed up during both our hardest times and our happiest moments.”

Amid the sorrow, friends like Alfonso Ribeiro also expressed their gratitude for having known him and the lessons learned from their friendship. Ribeiro shared how he was grateful to have been able to say goodbye and reflected on how Van Der Beek was not just a friend but a brother.

“Today I lost my friend Vander James, and I’m utterly devastated right now,” Ribeiro penned, noting his admiration for Van Der Beek’s strength during a challenging journey with cancer. He emphasized that Van Der Beek’s spirit would live on, not just in memories but through the people he touched.

Van Der Beek’s health struggles became public when he revealed his cancer diagnosis in November 2024, while expressing some optimism about his situation. His passing was a significant loss, particularly as he stepped away from the planned Dawson’s Creek reunion in September 2025 due to health concerns, although he made a surprise virtual appearance at a charity event.

His fans and friends alike remember him as a vibrant presence in their lives, filled with warmth and laughter.