‘We are heartbroken’: Big Slick honors supporter James Van Der Beek, who has died
Actor James Van Der Beek, who died of cancer Wednesday at age 48, came to Kansas City several times over the years to support the annual Big Slick celebrity fundraiser for Children’s Mercy.
He scored runs playing on the celebrity softball team, but scored even more with his fans in Kansas City. Van Der Beek became famous playing teenage Dawson Leery on the WB teen drama series “Dawson’s Creek” from 1998 to 2003.
He is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children.
“We are heartbroken to share that @vanderjames has passed away after a long and courageous battle with cancer,” Big Slick posted on Instagram Wednesday. “Over the past several years, James chose to let us all in through his openness on his social channels — sharing his fight, his fears, his faith, and the lessons he was learning along the way.
“Not just as an actor, but as a husband. As a father. As a man trying to live intentionally in the face of the unthinkable. “That thoughtful, grounded, deeply human approach to life is exactly what he brought to Big Slick every single year.”
Big Slick co-host Eric Stonestreet also posted a poignant memorial on Instagram Wednesday.
“Only had to ask James one time to come to Big Slick here in Kansas City. He was down to do whatever was needed for the kids of Children’s Mercy hospital in a heartbeat,” Stonestreet wrote.
“He was a kind, funny, charming and handsome (as heck) dude.”
The actor announced in November 2024 that he had been diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer and chronicled the months that followed on Instagram.
“He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,” Kimberly wrote on Instagram. “There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come.
“For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”
Van Der Beek starred with Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson on “Dawson’s Creek,” then went on to act in other TV shows, including “One Tree Hill” and “Criminal Minds,” and the films “Varsity Blues,” “Scary Movie” and “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back,” among others.
But he remained Dawson forever.
He brought heartthrob energy and was an instant crowd favorite in his first outing with the Big Slick group of celebrities in 2015. The Connecticut native was happy to wear a Kansas City Royals uniform for the event’s annual softball game. He wore it well.
“From his prowess on the softball field… To the quiet, heartfelt time he spent with kids at @childrensmercy … to dancing on stage without hesitation…to sitting in with the band… to late-night karaoke sessions and his legendary limbo championship reign… James wasn’t just a celebrity guest. He was part of the heart of Big Slick,” the organization wrote.
In 2016 he impressed the crowd with “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the seventh inning stretch. He hit an inside-the-park home run during the game, too.
That year he also crashed a wedding with Stonestreet and Big Slick hosts, Paul Rudd, Jason Sudeikis and David Koechner while they were all in town for Big Slick. (So said the wedding band.)
He returned in 2019 and 2022.
In 2022 he showed he still had the dancing skills he learned on “Dancing With the Stars” by taking a turn on stage at the T-Mobile Center with pro dancer Brittany Cherry. The packed arena got loud when he took off his shirt.
“Funny enough and how life works in circles. The first ‘Hollywood party’ I ever attended was at James’s house in 1999(ish). I couldn’t stop telling my friends that I was going to James Van Der Beek’s house,” Stonestreet wrote.
“And then in full circle, it was such an honor for me to be able to work with him and call HIM a friend so many years later. Rest In Peace, James.”
This story was originally published February 11, 2026 at 4:23 PM.
.jpg)