Stacy Keibler Honors James Van Der Beek With Emotional Tribute After His Passing

Stacy Keibler is mourning the loss of a dear friend, James Van Der Beek, and her emotional tribute is breaking hearts across the internet.

On February 11, 2026, James Van Der Beek passed away at 48 following a battle with colorectal cancer. While fans grieve the loss of the Dawson’s Creek star, Keibler took to her Instagram and offered a deeply personal reflection on the final days she spent by his side, calling them “a true gift from God.”

“When you know time is sacred, you don’t waste a single breath,” she wrote on Instagram. “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.”

Keibler said Van Der Beek taught her more about presence and trust than any book ever could. She recalled watching a sunset with him—one of their last moments together—where they talked about life, love, and finding peace amid pain.

“We talked about how this world can feel upside down… and how maybe heaven needs your spirit now to help steady us down here.”

She called him “an incredible husband” and “an extraordinary dad,” praising his devotion to his wife Kimberly and their children. Even through illness, she said, “That smile never left you.”

“You have given this world so many gifts. Your presence was a bright light in my life, and in so many others.”

Keibler ended her message with a powerful reminder to live with love and intention—something Van Der Beek embodied even as his time ran short.

“The present moment is everything. Love the people in front of you. Say the words. Watch the sunset. Trust God, even when you don’t understand.”

James Van Der Beek is survived by his wife and six children. Known for his breakout role on Dawson’s Creek and dozens of other film and television appearances, Van Der Beek’s legacy is now etched not just in Hollywood history, but in the hearts of everyone he touched.