James Van Der Beek's family, what to know about his wife and 6 kids
James Van Der Beek's family, what to know about his wife and 6 kids
Kate Perez, USA TODAYWed, February 11, 2026 at 9:46 PM UTC
0
James Van Der Beek, the actor known best for his starring roles in "Dawson's Creek" and "Varsity Blues," has died at the age of 48, following a diagnosis of colorectal cancer.
The actor is survived by his wife and six children. Van Der Beek and his wife, then Kimberly Brook, married in 2010 and share six children, ages 4 to 15 years old. He previously spoke of his family's support amid his battle with cancer to "Good Morning America" in 2024 and said his wife was consistently at his side following his diagnosis.
"She's been amazing," he said at the time. "She's really telling me what unconditional love is, and I'm someone who has always in the past tried to do everything for everybody and never asked for help myself, and this has put me in a position of having to ask for help and having to receive help."
"The beautiful blessing of that has been seeing how many people in my life have shown up."
Here's a look at Van Der Beek's family.
1 / 0James Van Der Beek's career from 'Dawson's Creek' to 'Varsity Blues'
From "Dawson's Creek" darling to "Dancing With the Stars," James Van Der Beek, who died Feb. 11 at 48, made a name for himself in film and television in the early '90s. Revisit the actor's most memorable roles and career highlights, starting with Van Der Beek as Dawson Leery in "Dawson's Creek."
James Van Der Beek's wife and children
Van Der Beek and Kimberly Brook met in Israel and married in the country in a small ceremony in August 2010, according to People.com. Van Der Beek recounted their first meeting in a 2020 Instagram post celebrating the couple’s 10th wedding anniversary.
Traveling with friends in Israel, Van Der Beek decided, “I was done being single. I wanted a real relationship. A soul mate. Someone with whom I could build a family,” he posted on the social media app.
“I was mid-revelation, rattling all this off to a friend of mine when a voice interrupted us, wanting to ask him a question. I was annoyed. Who the hell was stepping all over my moment? I turned around… it was (Kimberly)," he wrote. "Three days later, I asked her what she was looking for in a relationship. Her answer: ‘I’m not looking for a relationship.’ Six months later, we were living together. Two weeks after that, we were pregnant and almost exactly one year to the date after she’d first interrupted me… we were married.”
More: 'Dawson's Creek' star James Van Der Beek dies at 48 after colorectal cancer battle
The couple welcomed six children in the years after — Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah. Olivia was born in 2010, Joshua in 2012, Annabel in 2014, Emilia in 2016, Gwendolyn in 2018 and Jeremiah in 2021.
The actor announced the births of some of the children on social media, including Emilia and Jeremiah.
Advertisement
Van Der Beek was previously married to actress Heather McComb.
Van Der Beek's death was announced with a post on the actor's official Instagram page. "Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning," a caption of a photo of the actor read. "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."
Past reports: James Van Der Beek opens up about weight loss amid cancer battle
GoFundMe set up to support Kimberly Van Der Beek, 6 kids
Kimberly Van Der Beek's Instagram account was linked to the post announcing the actor's death. She also linked to a GoFundMe on her Instagram story, writing, "My friends created this link to support me and our children during this time. With gratitude and a broken heart."
According to the GoFundMe description, the donated funds are set to help cover "essential living expenses, pay bills, and support the children’s education" as well as "help Kimberly and her family find hope and security as they rebuild their lives."
"In the wake of this loss, Kimberly and the children are facing an uncertain future. The costs of James’s medical care and the extended fight against cancer have left the family out of funds," it reads. "They are working hard to stay in their home and to ensure the children can continue their education and maintain some stability during this incredibly difficult time. The support of friends, family, and the wider community will make a world of difference as they navigate the road ahead."
James Van Der Beek's parents, siblings
Van Der Beek is also survived by two siblings, brother Jared Van Der Beek and sister Juliana Van Der Beek. The actor posted about his siblings in the past, including in a 2019 Instagram post for his sister's birthday in which he called her "the kindest person (he'd) ever known."
"From the moment she was born, a bright, shining beacon of sweetness, optimism and joy," he wrote in the post.
Van Der Beek was the oldest of three children to his parents Melinda and Jim Van Der Beek, according to the actor's IMDB biography. Van Der Beek's mother worked as a gymnastics studio owner and Broadway dancer while his father was a cell phone company executive, according to the biography.
USA TODAY's Brendan Morrow, Edward Segarra Erin Jensen Kelly Lawler and Jay Stahl contributed to this report.
Kate Perez covers national trends and breaking news for USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected] or on X @katecperez_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: James Van Der Beek leaves behind wife, 6 kids. More about his family.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
