The family of James Van Der Beek received a wave of public love a day after the actor’s death, as his wife reshared a tender cover of the Dawson’s Creek theme song. The actor, who played Dawson Leery, died at 48 on Wednesday, February 11, from complications related to stage 3 colon cancer. By Thursday, fans were already gathering online around the music that helped define his career.
Wife shares tribute after James Van Der Beek’s death
As reported by Network 18, Kimberly reposted a version of “I Don’t Want to Wait,” originally performed by Paula Cole, recorded by Alana Springsteen with Sara Bares and Lauren LaRue. Springsteen uploaded the performance on Instagram on February 12 and wrote, “RIP James Van Der Beek this loss hit me hard today. So much girlhood was lived to the backdrop of his work.” She expressed her love and prayers for his beautiful family and also directed followers to a GoFundMe created for them.The message resonated deeply with many. Listeners filled the comments section with memories of watching the series and growing up alongside its characters.Original theme singer Paula Cole responded to the cover with a note of gratitude, writing, “So beautiful. Tears and more tears. Thank you for honoring James and his family.” Kimberly then shared the video on her Instagram Stories, widening the circle of remembrance.
GoFundMe campaign to support the Van Der Beek family
Friends organized the fundraiser to help Kimberly and the couple’s six children manage expenses after the long medical battle. The page states that treatment bills created financial strain related to housing and daily needs. Donations will also go toward the children’s schooling.Among the contributors, Steven Spielberg donated $25,000, acknowledging the actor’s place in television history.James and Kimberly share daughters Olivia, Annabel, Emilia and Gwendolyn, and sons Joshua and Jeremiah. When confirming his death, Kimberly said he faced his final stretch with “courage, faith, and grace” and asked the public to respect their privacy.James first revealed his diagnosis in November 2024 after keeping it private for more than a year. Fans and peers continue to pay tribute, many accompanied by the song that will forever be associated with his face.James Van Der Beek was an American actor born on March 8, 1977, in Cheshire, Connecticut. He rose to fame as Dawson Leary on Dawson’s Creek (1998–2003), a defining role that made him a pop culture fixture. He later appeared in films such as Varsity Blues and took on notable television roles in Don’t Trust the B–– in Apartment 23, CSI: Cyber, and Pose. Van Der Beek was married to Kimberly Brook, and they shared six children. He spoke publicly about his colorectal cancer diagnosis before his death on February 11, 2026, at the age of 48.
