Inside James Van Der Beek’s Texas Ranch Where He Lived With Wife Kimberly and Their 6 Kids
James Van Der Beek, the actor best known for his breakthrough role as Dawson Leery on Dawson’s Creek, died on Feb. 11, 2026, at the age of 48 after battling colorectal cancer. In the final years of his life, James and his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, had moved their family from Beverly Hills to a sprawling Texas ranch. They lived here with their six children, embracing a quieter, nature-centered lifestyle. Just weeks before his passing, Van Der Beek secured the down payment on the property his family had rented. This ensured it would become their permanent home. Here’s what to know about the ranch.
Actor James Van Der Beek lived on a Texas ranch with his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their children
James Van Der Beek and his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, first moved their family from Beverly Hills to the Texas Hill Country in 2020. They began renting a sprawling 36-acre ranch property in Spicewood, just outside Austin, to give their six children room to grow up in nature and away from city life. The move was part lifestyle choice and part experiment. Kimberly had long dreamed of living immersed in open land, and the family quickly fell in love with the outdoor life and strong sense of community that ranch life offered.
Over the years, the ranch became a sanctuary for the family. The property’s main residence, spanning more than 5,000 square feet, includes five bedrooms and three bathrooms, according to Realtor.com. The home features a commercial kitchen, a swimming pool, and balconies with sweeping views toward the Pedernales River. There’s also a barn on the property, as well as additional cabins.
Photos of the kitchen show the spacious and rustic interior. The Van Der Beek’s home boasted wooden countertops and white cabinets. A large island in the center of the kitchen offered them plenty of space for meal prepping. They also appeared to have a stainless steel stovetop and hood vent.
A photo of the living room shows a large stone fireplace, massive windows, and comfortable furniture, including a couch and two armchairs. While the Van Der Beek’s Texas home looks luxurious, it also looks cozy and perfect for guests to stop by or stay the night.
Kimberly and James Van Der Beek discussed what they loved most about living in Texas
During an interview with City Lifestyle, James and Kimberly Van Der Beek opened up about why they decided to make the permanent move to Texas. They noted how they wanted to get their kids out of LA and be “immersed in nature.” Kimberly called herself a “farm girl at heart” who never had the chance to live out the dream. “Nature was calling,” she said.
The couple discussed what they loved most about living in Texas. For Kimberly, it’s the community. “In Texas, somebody makes you something and brings it to your doorstep, or you have five friends pulling up with their trucks to help you move,” she said. “It’s just a different way of life here. It’s not to say one is better than the other, but it’s that hands-on village lifestyle that I’ve been craving for so long.”
James added that he feels like his neighbors look out for him in Texas. He also loved showing his kids how he and Kimberly help others.
The actor secured a down payment for the ranch before his death
People reports that James Van Der Beek secured a down payment for his and Kimberly’s Texas ranch before his death.
“James secured down payment for the Texas ranch for the family with the help of friends through a trust so they could shift from rent to mortgage,” his representative explained.
After James’ death in February 2026, friends of the family organized a GoFundMe. The page has already received over $2.6 million in donations, exceeding its goal.
