James Van Der Beek's Final Moments Revealed In Emotional Tribute

James Van Der Beek's friends are remembering their time with him, especially in his final moments.

The actor passed away yesterday, and the tributes have not stopped flooding in, especially from everyone who had experienced him one way or the other during his lifetime.

James Van Der Beek, before his death, battled with an aggressive form of cancer, which reportedly drained him of his finances and had him selling off merchandise from his acting days to raise money.

WWE Hall of Famer Stacy Keibler was first in line with the tribute, giving a closer glimpse into their last few days together. Keibler revealed that the experience made her feel so present, and she fully understood how to take one's time by taking each day very slowly.

She continued that their last hours together included watching the sunset together and reminiscing about their shared dreams and visions for each other. Keibler raved that the actor has given this world so many gifts, and his presence was a bright light in her life, and in so many others.

The wrestler stressed that she will think of the actor every time she watches a sunset, sees a rainbow across the sky, while knowing that heaven gained something extraordinary.

"And maybe the lesson you leave us with is this: 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. Thank you for changing me. I will carry you with me. Always," Steibler concluded.

Van Der Beek's death definitely rocked Hollywood to its core. American actor Mehcad Brooks hopped on Instagram to give his own tribute to the late star.

He explained that one of the greatest honors of his life was that he got to be beside the actor for the final four to five days of his life, holding his hands, praying with him, and telling him jokes.

Brooks, who got emotional as the video went on, praised his friend for handling death like a king. The actor continued that watching his dear friend pass on served as a gentle reminder to live life and do everything that makes one happy.

He urged his fans to pay little mind to other people's opinions about their lives, noting that, at the end of the day, they all will not matter in the grand scheme of things. Brooks left his fans with the parting words that they should hug their family tight, hold their loved ones closer, and allow life to love them.

The actor appeared very distraught as the video closed, and he strongly advised everyone to "figure what's out important and embrace it and hold on tight."

The actor left behind his wife, six kids, and his pal, Alfonso Ribeiro, in his tribute, who assured him of his forever presence in the lives of the family he left behind.

Ribeiro noted that the news of Van Der Beek's death left him broken, as the actor was more than a friend to him. In his tribute, Ribeiro revealed that he was with Van Der Beek every step of the way as she fought the illness, alongside the rest of his family and other friends.

Ribeiro described the highs and lows of the actor finally caving in to cancer from a point that initially looked like he had beaten the disease. In his conclusion, he said:

"I will always be there for their children. I will always hold my role as Gwen's Goddie daddy as one of the most important roles of my life. I love you, James, and know I have a guardian angel watching over me."

Ribeiro concluded that being able to say goodbye to the actor in person this weekend will always remain a core part of his memory.

When the actor was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in 2023, he kept the details under wraps till he disclosed his diagnosis over a year later in November 2024. Since then, the actor has publicly detailed his struggles to overcome the illness while expecting hope that things will get better for him.

The Blast shared that a year after he publicly came out with his sickness, he teamed up with Propstore for its Winter Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction scheduled to take place in December 2025.

The auction reportedly included several items from the actor's personal collection over the years, like wardrobe and set pieces from his time on some of his blockbuster movie sets in the past.

The necklace from "Dawson's Creek," which Van Der Beek gifted to Joey from prom, was included in the auction pieces and slated to go for $26,400 to $52,800.

His flannel shirt from the movie, alongside the cleats his character from "Varsity Blues" wore during games, and the iconic West Canaan Coyotes hat were also put up for auction.

The late 48-year-old died from colorectal cancer, which is currently noted to be the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. According to The Blast, the disease is often considered to affect the older population and has been rising among the under-50 population.

Since the 1990s, colorectal cancer cases have surged by 50%, and the rates are projected to double between 2010 and 2030. The American Cancer Society has also estimated that over 150,000 Americans will be diagnosed in 2026, and about 52,000 are expected to die.

A new study has shared that consuming at least one sugary soda or candy daily could also be linked to late-stage colon cancer, which is the hardest type to treat.