The actor, who was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in August 2023, died in the early morning hours on Feb. 11

James Van der Beek, Stacey Keibler, Erin Fetherston

Stacey Keibler with James Van der Beek (left); Erin Fetherston with James Van Der Beek (right).

James Van Der Beek was surrounded by loved ones before his death.

His wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, who announced the news of his death at age 48 on Feb. 11, wrote in an Instagram post that he “met his final days with courage, faith, and grace.” The actor announced in 2024 that he had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer a year prior.

After the news of his death was shared, James’ friends, fans and loved ones, including many in his inner circle, revealed they had spent time with him just before he died.

Alfonso Ribeiro wrote in a comment of Kimberly’s post, “lucky I got to be there to say goodbye.”

In a tribute shared to his Instagram account, Ribeiro said he is “so broken right now.”

“He was my true friend brother and life guide,” he wrote. “I was with him through this horrible journey to beat cancer. His family and friends went on this roller coaster ride. The highs when it looked like he had it beat to the breaking lows of it coming back. I’ve learned so much from james.”

Ribeiro that James and Kimberly “changed” his life. “I will forever be in debt for all they’ve given me and my family,” the Dancing with the Stars co-host added. “He will live forever in my heart. I will always be there for their children. I will always hold my role as Gwen’s Goddie daddy as one of the most important roles of my life. I love you James and know I have a guardian angel watching over me. Being able to say goodbye this weekend will always live with me. RIP my brother. RIP.”

Actor Mehcad Brooks echoed what Ribeiro shared. “Being there with you these past days has been the greatest honor of my life,” Brooks wrote in the comments section. “Until we meet again my beautiful brother.”

James Van der Beek, Stacey Keibler

James Van der Beek and Stacey Keibler before his death.
Stacey Keibler/Instagram
Stacy Keibler similarly wrote that she spent time with James before his death and shared a photo with him on social media. In the pic, he was pictured sitting in a wheelchair looking at the sunset.

“Spending these final days with you has been a true gift from God. I have never been so present in my life,” Keibler, 46, began in a lengthy caption. “When you know time is sacred, you don’t waste a single breath. You don’t rush. You don’t scroll. You don’t worry about tomorrow. You sit. You listen. You hold hands. You watch the sky change colors and you let it change you too.”

“In these past days, you taught me more about being present than any book ever could. You showed me what it looks like to trust God’s plan, even when it breaks your heart. Especially when it breaks your heart.”

Keibler shared that “the other night,” she and James “watched the sunset together as you shared your wisdom, your hopes, and the promises we made to each other.

“We talked about how this world can feel upside down…and how maybe heaven needs your spirit now to help steady us down here. And just as the sun slipped away, a shooting star crossed the sky…as if to remind us that none of this is random.”

She called the actor a “gift,” an “incredible husband” and an “extraordinary dad” to the six kids he shares with Kimberly. “It has been an honor to stand beside your family in these sacred moments,” Keibler wrote.

“You have given this world so many gifts. Your presence was a bright light in my life, and in so many others. And while your physical body may no longer be here, I know your spirit is doing big things. I feel it already. We may have lost a good one here on earth… but heaven gained something extraordinary.”

James Van Der Beek, Erin Fetherston

Another friend of James’, designer Erin Fetherston, also confirmed that she spent time with him in his final days. In an Instagram post, Fetherston shared several photos of James, including a shot of him in bed as she held his hand.

“What an honor it was to have a seat at your table and to call you a best friend,” Fetherston wrote of James. “The space you leave behind can never be filled, but we will do our best to shower your beautiful family with love and remember to keep dancing in your honor — because you always knew the importance of joy. We love you. Always.”