James Van Der Beek's Kids Were 'Scared' When He Shared His Cancer Diagnosis but Remained 'Supportive and Loving' (Exclusive)

The actor died on Wednesday, Feb. 11, following a journey with stage 3 colorectal cancer

NEED TO KNOW

• For James Van Der Beek, sharing the news of his cancer diagnosis with his six children was just as challenging as sharing it with the world
• Van Der Beek, 48, died on Wednesday, Feb. 11, after his journey with stage 3 colorectal cancer
• The Dawson’s Creek alum spoke with PEOPLE back in November 2024, where he opened up about his emotional experience navigating his diagnosis and how his family supported him throughout it all

For James Van Der Beek, sharing the news of his cancer diagnosis with his six children was just as challenging as sharing it with the world.

The Dawson's Creek alum, who died on Wednesday, Feb. 11, after his journey with stage three colorectal cancer, spoke with PEOPLE back in November 2024, where he opened up about his emotional experience navigating his diagnosis and how his family — wife Kimberly and their six children — supported him throughout it all.

“I like to take care of everybody,” he said. “I’m a provider, and I was trying to be Superman and be all things to everybody.”

“I was also a water pump expert. The holiday decorations foreman," he continued. "I’m an empath, and telling people required a lot of energy.”

He shared a similar sentiment while speaking with Today's Craig Melvin back in December. He told the journalist that he originally wanted "to shield" his children — daughters Gwen, 7, Annabel, 12, Emilia, 9, and Olivia, 15, and sons Jeremiah, 4, and Joshua, 13 — from seeing him in any pain or stress.

"And then my kids, as much as I want to shield them from seeing me in any kind of pain or stress — I wanted to be Superman, Super Dad — you realize that resilience is not only something that they have and can build, but it’s the best thing for them," he said.

After revealing the news, Van Der Beek told PEOPLE that it was "amazing" to see how people in his life showed up for him during one of his hardest moments.

“Listen, I’m never the person who asked for any help ever. It’s not in my DNA, and I thought that was a fine way to be until this showed up," the actor shared. "And to see that way friends showed up was such a beautiful experience, and I never would have otherwise seen just how much people care about me."

Eight months after revealing his cancer diagnosis, the actor candidly explained how he talked to his children about his health journey.

“I’m far from an expert, but our approach was just to be as honest as possible, as honest to the degree of their understanding, right? Because they know," said Van Der Beek during a July appearance on the third hour of Today.

Van Der Beek added that his children "can sense that Dad’s having a tough day."

He advised other parents who may be in the same situation to allow themselves to be surprised by their children's resiliency.

"When you tell them what you’re doing, and you tell them the approach, they can see it and they can feel it, and I think it’s also your journey is their journey," he said, noting that parents should allow their children to show up for them emotionally.

"I have kids making me tea. 'Dad, what do you need?' There's been a lot of beauty that's come out of it, but I would love to save everybody this journey, which is why I'm saying get screened," said Van Der Beek.

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The Varsity Blues star told PEOPLE that his children processed the news in their own way, noting that they were "scared," but continued to be "supportive and loving."

“They’re scared,” the famed actor said. “It’s natural. But they’ve been so supportive and loving and tender.”

Van Der Beek jokingly added, “One thing I’ve asked every doctor is, ‘What are the odds, and be straight with me, that I can get my kids to stop calling it butt cancer?’"

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Throughout his cancer journey, his family showed up for him in every way they could. His wife, Kimberly, and their children appeared in New York City for the Dawson's Creek reunion event on Tuesday, Sept. 22. There, they greeted fans as they first arrived at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.

The group walked the expansive line of fans waiting to get in, with Kimberly taking video and telling the fans it was for her husband, who was unable to attend at the time. Fans greeted both Kimberly and the family, sharing well-wishes for her husband and excitement for the night ahead.

One of the more touching moments of the evening came later, when the Van Der Beeks joined the cast on stage to sing the show's theme song, "I Don't Want to Wait" by Paula Cole. While the singalong began with cast members, a brief pause allowed for two of the actor's daughters, Olivia and Emilia, to take the stage. Olivia began to sing the lyrics alone as the rest of the group beamed around her, with Emilia joining in shortly after.

The crowd erupted into thunderous applause for the two girls. The cast rejoined them in singing along for a few moments before Kimberly and the other kids came on stage to also take in the moment.

Kimberly later shared Instagram Story posts reflecting on the night and thanking the various parties who made it happen. She cherished how the night "made so many of the kids' dreams come true."

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