- Primary Subject: James Van Der Beek (Posthumous Legacy and Projects)
- Key Update: Following his death, details have emerged regarding the actor's final completed performances and a secret memoir written during his cancer battle.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: February 12, 2026
- Quick Answer: James Van Der Beek’s final projects include the film The Gates, the Legally Blonde prequel Elle, and a potential posthumous memoir.
James Van Der Beek, the actor who defined a generation of teen drama, has passed away at 48 following a battle with cancer. Since the news broke, social media has been flooded with tributes from fans and those who worked alongside the Dawson’s Creek star.
While the loss is immense, fans have not seen the last of his talent as the late actor was still working months before his passing, with several of his final projects still scheduled to premiere later this year.
What Are James Van Der Beek's Posthumous Projects?
Van Der Beek will be seen on the small screen for the last time as he has a recurring role in the upcoming Legally Blonde prequel series, Elle, which is set to premiere on Prime Video on July 1.
He plays the role of Dean Wilson, the city’s new mayoral candidate and current school district superintendent. It is unknown yet how many episodes he will appear in.
"James Van Der Beek began his career as a beloved teen icon, and audiences have connected with his breadth and depth of work ever since. He was a husband, father, consummate professional, and, most recently, a vocal advocate for cancer awareness," Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios said in a statement.
"We are proud to have worked with him as a creative partner on Overcompensating and the upcoming Elle, where his gift for comedic timing led to memorable performances. We are deeply saddened by his passing and send our heartfelt condolences to his family, his friends, and his many fans."
Van Der Beek is also part of the upcoming film, The Gates, which is slated for release in select theaters on March 13. He plays the antagonistic role of Jacob.
"Before all else, I want to send sympathy and love to James’ family; his wife, Kimberly, and his children, Olivia, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, Joshua, and Jeremiah. Thank you for granting us the precious time with him that we had," director John Burr said in a statement.
"We were incredibly fortunate to have worked with him on this film. He brought experience and perspective to the role, and he built profound relationships with his fellow cast members and with the crew. And while he was deeply dedicated to his performance as the flawed, amoral antagonist of our story, between scenes he effortlessly morphed back into the grounded, charming conversationalist he was at his core."
Did James Van Der Beek Work on a Memoir Before His Death?
According to Deadline, Van Der Beek was secretly working on a memoir while battling cancer and working on other projects.
However, it remains unknown how far he got into the writing and whether there are plans to do a posthumous release of the book. He worked on the project, "he was spending [time] with family and staying connected to friends and fans."
For now, fans should stay tuned for potential updates regarding whether Van Der Beek's family will allow the release of the memoir or if another writer will be hired to finish.
Keep it locked on Epicstream, your go-to site for film, TV, and celebrity coverage!