James Van Der Beek's final video before he died was a powerful statement on 'new beginnings'

James Van Der Beek shared a moving post about New Year's resolutions in the final video he shared on social media before his death aged 48.

It was announced yesterday by his family that the Dawson's Creek alum had died. He had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, having gone public with his diagnosis in November 2024 after quietly battling the illness for over a year.

Van Der Beek is survived by his wife Kimberly, and their six children: Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah.

Just a few weeks before his passing, the actor shared a video to Instagram discussing New Year's resolutions and how he thinks people should start these in spring instead of on January 1.

He said in the January 15 clip: "Anyone else out there finding that your New Year’s resolution was impossible to keep? I’m going to say something: I don’t think it’s your fault.

"Why are we celebrating a new year in the dead of winter? Why are we celebrating new beginnings at a time when nature rests?"

Van Der Beek went on: "The time to celebrate a new beginning, and a new you, and a new resolution is in the spring at the vernal equinox – when the flowers bloom, and it gets warmer, and the birds return."

He concluded the moving video: "I’m going to take winter to recover, to rest, and I’m going to make New Year’s resolutions in the spring. Who’s with me?"

The clip has been liked more than 400,000 times at the time of writing.

While this was Van Der Beek's last video, his final post on Instagram was paying tribute to his daughter and dad, who share the same birthday.

He described the two as having 'the same open, warm, loving, gentle heart', adding: "You both make every room you’re in more fun."

"Different senses of humor, but you both have a way of alchemizing the vibe around you in such a subtle way one can almost miss how powerfully you do this," the 48-year-old went on.

"In this crazy world, it’s a wonder to me that you’ve managed to stay so open, so tender, and so genuinely good. You are marvels… and I’m so insanely grateful to have you in my life."

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.