The artist suffered not only from a progressive illness but also from his own helplessness. In the last year, he could no longer care for his wife and six children.
James Van Der Beek, known for his role as Dawson Leery in the series "Dawson's Creek," passed away at the age of 49. His family announced the artist's death.
Photo: social media.
"Our beloved James David Van Der Beek peacefully passed away this morning. He faced his final days with courage, faith, and dignity. There is much more to share about his wishes, love for humanity, and this time. Those days will come. For now, we ask for peace and privacy as we mourn our beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend," the family stated.
The actor was diagnosed three years ago. Despite this, Van Der Beek led a healthy lifestyle: he exercised, ate organic foods, practiced winter swimming, and regularly went to the sauna. He publicly spoke about his illness only a year later. To raise funds for treatment, the actor held an auction where he sold personal memorabilia accumulated over his career and continued to work despite his deteriorating condition.
On his 48th birthday, James admitted that he had experienced the hardest year of his life. His condition rapidly worsened. He shared that in his youth, he primarily defined himself through his profession, but it did not bring him satisfaction. Later, he found other, more important roles: a loving husband, father, and provider. However, illness and treatment took these opportunities away from him.
Photo: social media.
"But all the definitions that once deeply moved me were taken from me. I could no longer be the husband who helped his wife. I could no longer be a father and pick up the kids from school, put them to bed, and be there with them. I could not be the provider because I was not working. I couldn't even be a gardener because I didn't have the strength to prune the trees on time," the actor shared.
Through self-discovery and meditation, Van Der Beek was able to accept himself and understand that he deserved love—God's and his own. He addressed everyone facing serious illnesses with these words: "And the same goes for you. 'I am worthy of love.' Because you are worthy."
The star of "Dawson's Creek" died in hospice, and in the last few days before his passing, he was unconscious. An insider close to the deceased's family told Daily Mail that he looked extremely emaciated due to the disease that was consuming him from within. "James spent several weeks in hospice and was very thin when he passed away," the source said. "He spent most of his time lying in bed because he was very weak and ate nothing."
The family was always by James's side, at his bedside. The actor's wife, Kimberly, and his children found it incredibly difficult to watch the once energetic and strong head of the family fade away. Van Der Beek left behind six heirs: Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabelle, 12, Emilia, 9, Gwendolyn, 7, and Jeremiah, 4. After leaving Los Angeles in 2020, the family lived on a ranch near Austin, Texas. Before his illness, the artist was the primary breadwinner in the family, and finances had been tight in recent years. James's wife was forced to launch a fundraising campaign for her husband's treatment, while he sold his memorabilia to raise at least a small amount.
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Photo: social media.
Two weeks before his passing, Van Der Beek posted one of his last photos. He was pictured with his 12-year-old daughter Annabelle. He looked frighteningly thin, but next to his heir, his eyes still sparkled with happiness.
The actor gained popularity in the late 1990s after the release of the teen drama "Dawson's Creek." He also had roles in the series "How I Met Your Mother," "Law & Order," and the comedy "Scary Movie."
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