James Van Der Beek’s first wife Heather McComb breaks silence following tragic death of Dawson’s Creek star

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Following the sad passing of actor James Van Der Beek’s former spouse, Heather McComb, posted a touching message expressing her condolences.

Actor Van Der Beek died on Wednesday at the age of 48 after a two-year fight with colorectal cancer. He is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children: Olivia (15), Joshua (13), Annabel (12), Emilia (9 and a half), Gwendolyn (7), and Jeremiah (4).

On Thursday, Kimberly McComb—who was married to James Van Der Beek from 2003 to 2009—posted a sweet message on social media, sharing an old black-and-white photo of them together when they first started dating.

McComb, 48, shared a touching photo and wrote about their sadness over the passing of James. They expressed particular sympathy for James’s wife, Kimberly, his children, and the entire family, including Jim, Jared, and Juliana, as well as all his friends, noting how much he loved them all.

She mentioned the photo was taken on her 21st birthday, before the TV show Dawson’s Creek even premiered.

You know, whenever I think of James, a really beautiful image comes to mind – someone genuinely innocent, incredibly kind, and with a truly pure heart. Looking back on all the years we spent together, it feels like such a special journey, and I’ll always cherish those memories.

She shared that she was deeply grateful for the decades-long bond of friendship and love she and James had enjoyed.

Reflecting on their relationship, McComb shared that Van Der Beek, who married Kimberly in 2010, was a devoted father and deeply in love with his wife, describing the couple as perfect partners.

I was so moved by how Kimberly handled things for him – her grace was truly beautiful, and it’s something I’ll always remember and cherish. It really showed her character, and I deeply admire her for it.

She finished by telling James she loved him, and expressed her belief that he was joyfully greeted in heaven by those who loved him. She sent him her blessings and said she looked forward to seeing him again, offering a final prayer for his soul.

The actress encouraged her fans to donate to a GoFundMe campaign created to support the Van Der Beek family.

The online fundraiser has surpassed $1.5 million, aiming to help Kimberly and her children navigate a difficult time. The family has exhausted their funds due to significant medical bills.

The sadness continued to spread, deeply affecting Hollywood. Many of Michael Casciato’s former co-stars from Dawson’s Creek shared touching messages online, among them Katie Holmes.

In a handwritten note shared on Instagram, actress Dakota Holmes, known for her role as Joey Potter, praised Alan Van Der Beek, describing him as brave, compassionate, selfless, and strong, and noting his positive outlook on life.

She said she was deeply saddened by his passing, feeling both the pain of his absence and immense thankfulness for the impact he had on her life.

The actress shared a heartfelt message with a recent post. She said she was still trying to come to terms with things, but was incredibly thankful to have been a part of James’ life and that he was deeply loved.

Busy Philipps, known for her role as Audrey Liddell on Dawson’s Creek, shared a tribute on Instagram as well.

She expressed her deep sadness for everyone affected by the loss, recognizing the pain felt by his friends, family, and fans.

Philipps expressed deep sorrow for Van Der Beek’s wife, Kimberly, and their six children. She described him as a truly exceptional and irreplaceable person who will be greatly missed.

You know, looking back, I’m just so thankful for the incredible friendship we’ve built over the years. It’s been amazing to share experiences both in front of the camera and in life, and that connection is something I really cherish.

So far, neither Jackson nor Michelle Williams, who was one of the show’s original stars playing Jen Lindley, has spoken publicly about the passing.

Jackson, however, has long held Van Der Beek in high esteem. 

Before the second season of the show premiered in October 1998, Van Der Beek discussed with Teen People how the series had changed his life. Jackson also offered his perspective.

‘He’s the one everybody loves to love,’ Jackson said.

He then joked, ‘I don’t have to worry about throngs of girls. That’s more James’s thing.’

Williams also complimented Van Der Beek, describing him as having a classic, charming quality reminiscent of Cary Grant.

Other stars also reacted to Van Der Beek’s death. 

Reese Witherspoon, who is also a producer on the upcoming Legally Blonde prequel Elle, shared that she was deeply saddened to hear about Van Der Beek’s passing, and he will appear in the film posthumously.

She described him as an incredibly gifted and kind person, noting his grace in everything he did. She also said she was keeping his family in her thoughts and prayers during this challenging time.

Following the family’s announcement on Wednesday, more stars joined in sharing condolences. 

It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of James Van Der Beek’s passing. He passed away peacefully this morning, and even in his final days, he faced everything with such courage, faith, and grace. He had so much he wanted to share about living a meaningful life, appreciating others, and truly valuing every moment, and we’ll be sharing more of his thoughts and wishes soon.

We know there will be time to reflect later, but right now we kindly request privacy and peace as we mourn the loss of our beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend.

Jennifer Garner, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Lucy Hale, Christie Brinkley, and Rumer Willis all showed their support by liking the post.

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

Kimberly posted on Instagram that her friends made a support link for her and her children during a difficult time, expressing both thankfulness and sadness.

Your donation will help with basic needs like housing and bills, and ensure the children can continue their education.

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2026-02-12 22:19