James Van Der Beek, the American actor who became a household name through his portrayal of Dawson Leery in the hit television series Dawson’s Creek, has died at the age of 48 following a battle with colorectal cancer.
His wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, confirmed the news on Wednesday through a statement posted to Instagram.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,” she wrote.
“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.”
James Van Der Beek was diagnosed with cancer in 2023
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The actor leaves behind his wife and their six children.
Mr Van Der Beek received his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis in 2023, though he initially chose to keep the matter private whilst undergoing treatment.
The actor went public with his condition in November 2024, telling People magazine that he felt compelled to speak out after learning a tabloid intended to publish the story.
“I’ve been dealing with this privately until now, getting treatment and dialing in my overall health with greater focus than ever before,” he said at the time.
James Van Der Beek among the case of Dawson’s Creek in 1997
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Despite the serious nature of his illness, Mr Van Der Beek maintained a positive outlook. “There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good,” he stated.
By March 2025, on his 48th birthday, he told Extra that he could “see the finish line” and was entering “a healing phase.”
However, a setback came in September 2025 when two stomach viruses forced him to withdraw from a Dawson’s Creek reunion organised by co-star Michelle Williams to raise funds for his care.
Mr Van Der Beek’s career began with off-Broadway theatre productions during his teenage years in Connecticut before he landed his breakthrough role in 1997.
James Van Der Beek in 2024
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Dawson’s Creek premiered in 1998 on The WB network and ran for six seasons, establishing him as a teen heartthrob alongside co-stars Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams and Joshua Jackson.
The show’s creator, Kevin Williamson, based the character of the aspiring filmmaker on his own youth.
During the programme’s run, Van Der Beek starred in the 1999 American football film Varsity Blues, which proved a considerable box office success and earned him an MTV Movie Award.
He later demonstrated a talent for self-deprecating comedy, playing a fictionalised version of himself in the ABC sitcom Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23.
James Van Der Beek shared the news of his diagnosis in 2024
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More recent credits included the FX drama Pose and the CBS procedural CSI: Cyber.
Van Der Beek married Kimberly Brook in August 2010, and the couple went on to have six children together: daughters Olivia, Annabel, Emilia and Gwendolyn, and sons Joshua and Jeremiah.
Throughout his illness, his family provided crucial support, with the actor frequently paying tribute to them on social media.
In March 2025, he candidly admitted the toll his condition had taken, saying he “could no longer be the husband that was helpful to my wife” and “could no longer be a father who could pick up his kids.”
The financial burden of treatment also weighed heavily, leading him to sell autographed memorabilia from Varsity Blues to help fund his care.
Tributes have flooded social media since the news broke, with one shocked fan writing on X: “WHAT DO YOU MEAN JAMES VAN DER BEEK DIED???!!!!” (sic)
“RIP James Van Der Beek. Thinking of his young family. Cancer is an indiscriminate #%^*,” a second penned.
Another added: “RIP James Van Der Beek man, he killed it in the Bluntman and Chronic movie.”
Someone else shared: “I LOVE JAMES VAN DER BEEK SOOOOO MUCH. THIS HURTS LIKE HELLLLLLL. I WILL NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER EVER RECOVER FROM THIS.”
“RIP James Van Der Beek. Genuinely nice guy and very funny,” another agreed.
One more penned: “Rest in Peace James Van Der Beek, I am heartbroken for his family and loved ones.” (sic)