James Van Der Beek Purchased $4.76M Texas Ranch Shortly Before Passing

Actor James Van Der Beek purchased the sprawling Texas ranch where he spent his final years with his family just weeks before his death at age 48.

The “Dawson's Creek” star and his wife, Kimberly, had been renting the 36-acre property in Spicewood, just outside Austin, since 2020. The couple relocated from Beverly Hills to give their six children more space and a closer connection to nature.

Property records show the couple officially bought the ranch for $4.76 million on Jan. 9, about a month before Van Der Beek died following a battle with colorectal cancer. The purchase was made through an LLC managed by a California attorney. The deal appears to have been completed off-market, with no public listing before the sale.

The ranch includes a 5,149-square-foot main home with five bedrooms and three bathrooms, several cabins, a barn, and a pool. The property also features balconies with views of the sky and the nearby Pedernales River, along with a tram that leads down to the water. The rolling fields and open landscape were especially appealing to the couple, who wanted plenty of room for their children — Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah — to grow up outdoors.

When the family first moved to Texas, Kimberly said they planned to “try Texas out for a year” before committing permanently. They quickly fell in love with the land and the lifestyle.

It was at the ranch that Van Der Beek began treatment after revealing in 2024 that he had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Throughout his illness, he often shared photos and videos from the property, showing quiet family moments and time spent outside.

After his passing, tributes poured in from friends and colleagues. Among them was “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” star Alfonso Ribeiro, who said he had visited the ranch during Van Der Beek’s illness. Ribeiro, who is godfather to Van Der Beek’s daughter Gwendolyn, described him as a “true friend, brother and life guide” and said he was grateful to have been able to say goodbye.

In the weeks following his death, Kimberly shared that the high cost of her husband’s medical care had placed financial strain on the family. Friends set up a GoFundMe page to help cover living expenses and education costs so the family can remain in their home.

The fundraiser, which launched with a $500,000 goal, has raised more than $2.3 million. Supporters include filmmaker Steven Spielberg and actress Zoe Saldana.

The page says the donations will help the family maintain stability as they rebuild their lives. For Kimberly and her six children, the ranch Van Der Beek loved has become both a place of memories and a symbol of the life they built together.