Actor Mehcad Brooks is honoring James Van Der Beek with words filled with love and admiration. After news confirmed that Van Der Beek died at 48 following a battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer, Brooks shared a deeply personal video, adding rare and heartwarming details of their final moments together.
‘He Handled the Transition Like a King‘
“RIP my brother King. @vanderjames,” “Desperate Housewives” alum captioned the post.
“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 Instagram video posted Wednesday, February 11.
The “Law & Order” star said being present in those final days changed him. “Literally just watch this man handle death like a king. He handled the transition like a king.”
Brooks’ voice trembled as he reflected on those final days. Standing beside Van Der Beek, he said, shifted something in him.
“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 fing 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.”
He ended his tear-jerking video with beautiful words. “I love you so much, brother,” Brooks urged fans 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.
Kimberly Van Der Beek Confirms His Peaceful Passing
Van Der Beek’s passing was announced in a statement posted to his Instagram account.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,” the message read.
“There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity, and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For no,w we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”
The “Varsity Blues” and “Dawson’s Creek” star is survived by his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their six children: Olivia, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, Joshua, and Jeremiah.
GoFundMe Surpasses $1 Million as Community Rallies
GettyIn the hours after his death, a GoFundMe launched to support Kimberly and their six children quickly surpassed $1 million.
“James Van Der Beek was a beloved husband, father, and friend who touched the lives of everyone around him,” 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.”
The description continues: “In the wake of this loss, Kimberly and the children are facing an uncertain future. 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 message ends with gratitude: “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.”
For Brooks and many others, the grief is deeply personal. But the image that remains is one of strength. A man who, in his friend’s words, “handled the transition like a king.”
