James Van Der Beek's Wife Kimberly Celebrates First Father's Day After His Death
James Van Der Beek's widow, Kimberly Van Der Beek, is honoring her late husband on the first Father's Day since his death.
"Missing you so much and thinking of how magnificent you were in every single way today," Kimberly, 44, wrote via Instagram on Sunday, June 21, alongside a carousel of photos of James with their six children. "And somehow, from the other side? You continue to parent. You're a marvel."
The Dawson's Creek alum died at the age of 48 on Feb. 11, 2026 after battling stage 3 colorectal cancer since 2023.
"Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning," Kimberly wrote on Instagram at the time. "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."
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Van Der Beek's Dawson's Creek co-star, Mary-Margaret Humes, also paid tribute to her on-screen son over Father's Day weekend.
"Wishing all of the amazing dads throughout this vast universe a Happy Father's Day weekend," Humes wrote on Instagram on Saturday, June 19, with a throwback photo of her, Van Der Beek, and John Wesley Shipp, who played Van Der Beek's dad on the series. "My advice? Give big meaningful hugs and tell them you love them … a shout-out to simpler times with @vanderjames @johnwesleyshippjr."
Van Der Beek is survived by Kimberly, whom he married in 2010, and their six children: Olivia, 15; Joshua, 14; Annabel, 12; Emilia, 10; Gwendolyn, 8; and Jeremiah, 4.
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This story was originally published June 21, 2026 at 12:11 PM.