The death of Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek at 48 continues to impact his family, friends, fans, and people within the entertainment industry alike, 24 hours after his passing was announced by his widow via Instagram on February 11. In the wake of Van Der Beek’s death, people have come out of the woodwork to share remembrances of the late actor, including his ex-wife and friend, actress Heather McComb.
McComb broke her silence about her former beau’s death on Thursday, writing a heartfelt dedication to Van Der Beek and posting it on Instagram along with a picture of the pair taken on McComb’s 21st birthday. In the post, McComb described herself as being “heartbroken” for his widow, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and her six children with James. She also recalled fondly her own history with and deep connection to the actor.
Wrote McComb:
What a journey we shared over the years. I sit here in immense gratitude for the special connection, friendship, and love that James and I shared that has endured through decades. I will treasure the last loving words we exchanged. … Thank you, Jesus for bringing this beautiful soul into the world and into all of our lives. I love you James.
McComb, who appeared in multiple episodes of the Showtime series “American Gigolo” in 2022 and has a lengthy list of film and television credits, wed Van Der Beek in 2003, as reported by People. The couple split amicably in 2009, divorcing the following year (via 6abc) without having any children together.
Van Der Beek’s untimely death came after the star battled colorectal cancer. He originally announced his diagnosis via social media in November 2024 after having waged a private battle with the disease previously. The actor later told People (via YouTube) that he had received a Stage 3 cancer diagnosis one year before his announcement.
Following Van Der Beek’s death, a GoFundMe was established to benefit the late actor’s wife and children. The crowdfunding effort — which McComb advertised in her Instagram post — raised over a million dollars in less than a day after going live. The family reportedly spent a significant portion of their available funds on Van Der Beek’s cancer treatment.
James Van Der Beek‘s final on-screen film role came in 2024’s Sidelined 2: Intercepted, as noted by The Hollywood Reporter. In the film, Van Der Beek returned to his role as Leroy Lahey, the father of a star quarterback. His final television appearance in the Legally Blonde prequel series Elle is slated for release on Prime Video in July 2026.
- Birthdate
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March 8, 1977
- Birthplace
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Cheshire, Connecticut, USA
- Height
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6 feet 0 inches
- Professions
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Actor, Producer, Writer