James Van Der Beek’s poignant 2023 video advising loved ones on how to navigate grief goes viral – following his heartbreaking death at 48

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A video from 2023 featuring James Van Der Beek discussing grief is circulating widely online after his recent passing from cancer at the age of 48.

The actor best known for his role in Dawson’s Creek and a father of six children died on Wednesday at a hospice after a two-year fight with colon cancer.

After the news of the popular actor’s death, a video he made in 2023 about coping with the loss of his mother quickly spread online. Fans shared the heartfelt clip, in which he offered advice on how to deal with grief.

On July 13, 2020, James revealed that his mother, Melinda – a gymnastics instructor who inspired his acting – had passed away. To mark the third anniversary of her death, he shared a video encouraging people who were grieving to allow themselves to feel their emotions.

In a heartfelt message, he shared that today marks the third anniversary of his mother’s passing. He noted that he and many of his friends are now at an age where they’re experiencing similar losses, and he wanted to share the support he offers to them when they’re going through tough times.

A post shared by James Van Der Beek (@vanderjames)

Going through this will likely be confusing and emotionally challenging. It unfolds in its own time, so try not to question or criticize the feelings that surface.

It’s natural to feel sadness and pain, and you can’t avoid those feelings. You might also experience anger, regret, or even relief – a whole mix of emotions will likely come up.

Instead of questioning your feelings or wishing they were different, simply let them surface naturally, one layer at a time. You’ll likely encounter many well-meaning people who claim to understand exactly what you’re experiencing.

It’s not a simple yes or no. Every person’s relationship with their parents is different and often complex, and grieving the loss of a parent is a uniquely personal experience for everyone.

I tell people I hope they experience a full and natural grieving process. It will unfold at its own pace, not according to anyone’s expectations – not yours, and not the expectations of those who care about you.

Everyone else will move forward with their lives, and then something small and unexpected will upset you, bringing on strong feelings. Just let those feelings be, and I’m truly sorry if that happens.

The post quickly received a lot of comments from fans. Many people found the clip and shared messages like ‘That’s really insightful, thank you for the guidance!’ and ‘I checked out your other videos, and this one was exactly what I needed.’

We are deeply saddened to hear of your loss. He was a loving husband and father, and we’re sending all our love, support, and prayers to your family. We hope you find comfort and strength during this incredibly difficult time.

Goodbye, James. We love you very much and will miss you terribly. It must have brought his mother so much joy to see him. I’m really looking forward to being reunited with my wife soon.

She sadly passed away from cancer at the age of 43 in 2025. It’s a comfort to know we don’t have to live forever, and that they are together now. Sending blessings to his soul and his mother. We love you and will miss you always. You’re reunited with your mom now.

James Van Der Beek passed away peacefully this morning, his family announced in a heartfelt Instagram post on Wednesday. They shared that he faced his final days with courage, faith, and grace.

We have many cherished memories of his kindness, his deep care for others, and his appreciation for every moment. We will share those with you in the future. Right now, we kindly ask for privacy and peace as we mourn the loss of our beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend.

 He is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children.

The actor and his wife have six children: daughters Olivia (15), Annabel (12), Emilia (9), and Gwendolyn (7), and sons Joshua (13) and Jeremiah (4).

Oh my gosh, you will NOT believe this! Jennifer Garner, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Lucy Hale, Christie Brinkley, and even Rumer Willis… they reacted to the family’s post! They actually hit the ‘like’ button! I’ve been checking constantly, and seeing those notifications just made my day! It’s like they understand how important this is, and they’re showing their support. I’m seriously freaking out!

A GoFundMe campaign was started on Wednesday to raise $500,000 to support the Van Der Beek family.

Oh my gosh, Kimberly just posted on Instagram, and it broke my heart! She said her friends made a link to help her and the kids right now, and she’s so grateful, but you can just feel the sadness in her message. I’m sending all the love and support – she deserves it so much!

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2026-02-12 11:51