James Van Der Beek's Friend on His Legacy

0:00James Vanderbeek passed away from colorectal cancer on February 11th at age 48, and his friend Jamie Lynn Siggler got to say goodbye, stays before. The two grew super close after both moved to Austin, Texas, ditching Hollywood to prioritize family and lean on each other through tough health. Fights Siggler, whose bad at multiple sclerosis since she was 20, tells us weekly they bonded hard over lessons from their illnesses. Vanderbeek settled there with his wife Kimberly and their six kids, living with real intention away from the spotlight. She calls him the best dad she's ever known, saying nobody parented like James and Kimberly, their kids prove it with how grounded they are. Actors like them often chase the next gig, but Siggler says James reminded everyone to pause and appreciate the great stuff already done. In her grief, Siggler shares she felt truly seen by him, and they dreamed of dancing together one day. She sat by his bedside right before the end, telling him to wait for her so they could make it happen.

1:00It's a raw reminder to honor friends like James by giving ourselves that same grace, celebrating lives fully lived even when they're cut short. That's your Durham News Today update, AI powered and always on.