James Vanderbeek has died. He was 48.

[samhexum]

James Vanderbeek has died. He was 48. He had been fighting colorectal cancer for a couple of years.

https://www.tvline.com/2099069/james-van-der-beek-dead-obituary-dawsons-creek/

Edited February 11 by samhexum

[jeezifonly]

Worked on a play he did onstage at the Geffen Playhouse about 13 yrs back. He was fine in the role (very odd play) and sweet and sexy in person. Far too young. 😢

[TonyDown]

I watched "The Rules of Attraction" last night.  

VanDerBeek was the highlight of the movie.  A great actor.  ❤️

R.I.P.

 

 

 

[Becket]

53 minutes ago, TonyDown said:

I watched "The Rules of Attraction" last night.  

VanDerBeek was the highlight of the movie.  A great actor.  ❤️

R.I.P.

 

 

 

Agreed. The fantasy hook up scene between James and Ian was so damn hot. Very sexy and didn't show anything more than shirts off. RIP James. So glad to see the GOFUNDME they set up for his family (he leaves a wife and SIX young children) is over $2 million and counting. Apparently the cancer treatment ate up all their money. And sadly, James received NO residuals for reruns of his famous TV show, Dawson's Creek.  

[TonyDown]

Six kids is a lot.  Hopefully the GoFundMe will soften the strain.

[EZEtoGRU]

Hmm…Seems that James bought a $4.7 million ranch in Texas a month before dying. Not clear if he paid cash or took out a mortgage for part of the cost. Either way, it raises lots of questions about the GoFundMe that his wife set up after his death. At best this is bad optics…at worst, it could be fraud and getting on the gravy train dishonestly via the kindness of others. 
 

The cancer and leaving behind six kids is very sad. What is coming out now seems pretty sketchy though.  Reminds me of Erica Kirk’s shenanigans post her husbands death. 
 

let’s see how this story develops. 

https://www.tmz.com/2026/02/13/james-van-der-beek-purchased-texas-ranch-before-dying/

Edited Sunday at 08:45 PM by EZEtoGRU

[MikeBiDude]

19 minutes ago, EZEtoGRU said:

Hmm…Seems that James bought a $4.7 million ranch in Texas a month before dying

IDK so much speculation with so little facts.

They had already been living on the property (renting it). The only thing that tweaked my interest here…in Texas your primary residence can be excluded from bankruptcy proceedings. Maybe his medical bills or other issues have cost the family too much? If money runs out and they file for BK…the ranch *might* be a safe haven.

*here’s me - who doesn’t like conspiracy posts - adding to one 🤣

[EZEtoGRU]

Yeah…I guess we can’t jump to conclusions quite yet. Probably need a little more meat around the bones of this story. Sure does merit the questions being asked though. 
 

[BSR]

2 hours ago, MikeBiDude said:

IDK so much speculation with so little facts.

They had already been living on the property (renting it). The only thing that tweaked my interest here…in Texas your primary residence can be excluded from bankruptcy proceedings. Maybe his medical bills or other issues have cost the family too much? If money runs out and they file for BK…the ranch *might* be a safe haven.

*here’s me - who doesn’t like conspiracy posts - adding to one 🤣

Van Der Beek & family had been renting the ranch since 2020, but shortly before he died, with the help from friends for the down payment, he purchased it.  So it sounds like the family has very little equity in the property.  

James said that even with insurance, fighting cancer was extremely expensive, which is sadly all too true in America.  My guess is that the medical bills wiped out most of his liquid net worth, and the family is left with only the ranch (with little equity) and the $2.3 million raised in the GoFundMe.

His widow & 6 kids didn’t exactly make out like bandits.  They’ve secured a stable housing situation but will never own the ranch outright.  Thanks to the GoFundMe, they have enough money for the near- and medium-term but are far from set for life.  I wish them all the best.

[marylander1940]

On 2/14/2026 at 12:24 AM, TonyDown said:

I watched "The Rules of Attraction" last night.  

VanDerBeek was the highlight of the movie.  A great actor.  ❤️

R.I.P.

 

 

 

Great movie, unfortunately very few even heard about it. 

[marylander1940]

James Van Der Beek is Third 'Varsity Blues' Main Actor to Die

 

[EZEtoGRU]

Even if friends lent money for the down payment on the $4.7 million ranch, this whole story seems to scream poor money management over many years and possible deceit.   Clearly, the family was having money issues years ago as they had a $269k tax liability from 2017/2019. It was repaid in 2022 but does indicate money issues had been a problem even before he became sick. If money was so tight, why were they renting a multi-million dollar ranch for years?  Couldn’t they have found something more within their budget?

When they bought the ranch 1-2 months ago (with help from friends for the down payment) knowing that James’ illness was terminal, who did they think was going to make the ongoing mortgage payments, tax bills, utility, and general upkeep costs?  GoFundMe drives?  
 

If friends want to fund this family’s extravagant ranch lifestyle until all the kids are grown, that is certainly their prerogative. But why get the general public involved with a begging campaign?

None of the additional news that has come out regarding the ranch or how they purchased it has removed any of my doubts. If anything, it raises more questions. 

[+ FrankR]

6 hours ago, EZEtoGRU said:

Even if friends lent money for the down payment on the $4.7 million ranch, this whole story seems to scream poor money management over many years and possible deceit.  

You try raising 6 kids in this economy. ➿

[EZEtoGRU]

43 minutes ago, FrankR said:

You try raising 6 kids in this economy. ➿

Expensive I’m sure. I’m wondering how much money the family spent on renting the $4.7 million ranch with 36 acres prior to buying it?  A whole lot I’m sure. So live the upscale ranch lifestyle for multiple years and then seek a bailout from the public to meet expenses going forward?

How about living a more modest lifestyle all the way back to  when they were already in default with taxes in 2017?  Had they made better choices starting back then, they might not be in the tight financial situation they are experiencing today. Maybe they wouldn’t have to be seeking handouts. 
 

It’s obviously everyone’s choice whether they wish to donate to the GoFundMe campaign.   I sure ain’t going to contribute so they can continue their upscale ranch lifestyle after seemingly making poor financial choices for many years. 
 

 

[samhexum]

4 minutes ago, EZEtoGRU said:

It’s obviously everyone’s choice whether they wish to donate to the GoFundMe campaign.   I sure ain’t going to contribute so they can continue their upscale ranch lifestyle after seemingly making poor financial choices for many years. 

How UnAmerican of you!