James Van Der Beek’s longtime friend, actor Mehcad Brooks, is sharing how the Dawson’s Creek actor braved his final days.
“One of the greatest honors of my life, I got to be there [the] last four to five days, every day, and hold his hand, and pray with him, and tell him jokes, and tell him how much I love him, and sing to him,” Brooks, 45, said in an emotional Instagram video on Wednesday, February 11, after news broke of Van Der Beek’s death at the age of 48.
The Desperate Housewives alum continued, “Literally just watch this man handle death like a king. He handled the transition like a king.”
Brooks went on to urge followers to live life to the fullest after spending several days by his friend’s side.
“It just makes me realize … it’s just a wonderful reminder to live your life, do the things that make you happy, don’t worry about other people’s opinions — they’re not gonna f***ing matter,” he said. “All that s*** you’re worried about right now is not gonna matter. We all know that. Sometimes we need to be reminded.”
“I love you so much, brother,” the Law & Order actor said, before once again urging his followers to “hug your family tight.”
“Hug your loved ones tight. Love your life. Allow life to love you. Smile when you can. Figure out what’s important and embrace it and hold on tight,” he concluded.
“RIP my brother King. @vanderjames,” Brooks captioned the post.
Van Der Beek died early Wednesday morning after revealing his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis in 2024.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,” read a statement shared via the actor’s Instagram page. “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.”
The Varsity Blues actor is survived by his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their six children, daughters Olivia, Annabel, Emilia and Gwendolyn and sons Joshua and Jeremiah.
A GoFundMe page set up to support Kimberly and the actor’s children surpassed $1 million late Wednesday.
“James Van Der Beek was a beloved husband, father, and friend who touched the lives of everyone around him,” a description on the page reads. “After a long and courageous battle with cancer, James passed away on February 11, 2026, leaving behind his devoted wife, Kimberly, and their six wonderful children. Throughout his illness, the family faced not only emotional challenges but also significant financial strain as they did everything possible to support James and provide for his care.”
“In the wake of this loss, Kimberly and the children are facing an uncertain future,” the description continues. “The costs of James’s medical care and the extended fight against cancer have left the family out of funds. They are working hard to stay in their home and to ensure the children can continue their education and maintain some stability during this incredibly difficult time. The support of friends, family, and the wider community will make a world of difference as they navigate the road ahead.”
The description concludes, “Your generosity will help cover essential living expenses, pay bills, and support the children’s education. Every donation, no matter the size, will help Kimberly and her family find hope and security as they rebuild their lives.”
