It was confirmed yesterday (11 February) that the actor passed away “peacefully” after a two-and-a-half-year battle with colorectal cancer. He had been diagnosed in late 2023 after a screening revealed a tumour that later developed into stage three cancer.
A statement issued by his family and shared on Instagram read: “Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. 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.”
Opening Up About His Diagnosis
Throughout his illness, Van Der Beek chose to speak publicly about his experience in an effort to raise awareness about colorectal cancer and its warning signs.
In November 2024, he told PEOPLE Magazine that the first symptom he noticed was a change in his bowel habits. Initially, he dismissed it as a side effect of drinking too much coffee.