Khaberni - The famous American actor James Van Der Beek has died at the age of 48, after a long struggle with colon and rectal cancer, in shocking news to his fans and admirers around the world, particularly after those close to him disclosed his family's suffering from substantial financial pressures due to medical expenses.
His wife Kimberly Van Der Beek announced the death in a statement posted on "Instagram," saying that her husband passed away peacefully after facing his final days bravely, and added that there is much to say about his wills, love for life and people, but the family currently prefers privacy during this difficult time.
His death left a profound impact on his family, as he was a father to six children: Olivia, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, Joshua, and Jeremiah, who were the focus of his life during his years of illness.
Van Der Beek revealed at the end of 2024 that he had been diagnosed with colon and rectal cancer, explaining that he discovered the disease after undergoing a routine colonoscopy in August (August) 2023, and stated at the time that he received the diagnosis with great shock, and that his life changed in a moment.
In his interviews, he noted that the hardest thing he went through was not the treatment itself, but telling his family and children about the news, saying he was used to being the supporter and provider, and admitting his need for support was a significant psychological challenge. He also expressed deep gratitude for his fans' support, acknowledging that the disease taught him to accept help after always refusing it.
After the announcement of his death, close friends launched a crowdfunding campaign to support his wife and children, affirming that the family faced, in addition to emotional pain, heavy financial burdens due to long treatment costs, and within a few hours of launching the campaign, hundreds of thousands of dollars were collected from the target amount.
Selling His Belongings
The late actor had resorted last year to selling memorabilia from his artistic works in a public auction, allocating the proceeds to support his treatment expenses, in a move that reflected the magnitude of the challenges he lived away from the limelight.
James Van Der Beek became famous for his iconic role in the TV show "Dawson's Creek," where he portrayed the character Dawson Leery alongside Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, and Michelle Williams, over six seasons, becoming one of the most prominent faces of television drama in the late 1990s.
