James Van Der Beek's final photo paid tribute to his daughter and father

James Van Der Beek’s final Instagram post showed him with his daughter Annabel. The Dawson’s Creek alum died Wednesday, his wife Kimberly confirmed. He had been battling colorectal cancer since August 2023 and was 48 years old. In the Jan. 25 post, Van Der Beek paid tribute to Annabel, 12, and his father James, who share the same birthday.

In the photo he wore a sweater and a beanie, wrapping his arms around Annabel as she hugged him back, and he also shared a picture of his father with Annabel. He wrote, "I can recognize the same open, warm, loving, gentle heart," said he was "insanely grateful," and added, "Happy birthday, guys.

I love you with all my heart ❤️." Van Der Beek and his wife Kimberly shared six children: Olivia, 14; Joshua, 13; Annabel, 12; Emilia, 8; Gwendolyn, 6; and Jeremiah, 3.

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