James Van Der Beek, best known for his breakout role as Dawson Leery in the late 1990s teen drama Dawson’s Creek, has died at the age of 48.
According to the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office in Texas, his death was reported at 6:44 am on Wednesday. No official cause of death has been released, but the actor had publicly shared that he was battling stage 3 colorectal cancer.
His wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, confirmed the news in an emotional statement shared on Instagram.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,” the statement read. The family has asked for privacy as they grieve.
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A private battle made public
Van Der Beek revealed his diagnosis in late 2024, sharing that he had been “privately dealing with” colorectal cancer while continuing to work and spend time with his family.
Speaking at the time, he said there was “reason for optimism” and credited his wife and children for their unwavering support. He later became vocal about raising awareness for cancer screening and research, appearing in a two-hour special of The Real Full Monty to promote prostate, testicular and colorectal cancer testing.
In interviews during 2025, the actor reflected candidly on his health journey, at one point describing the diagnosis as transformative, saying it encouraged him to live more intentionally and deepen his faith.
He was forced to miss an in-person Dawson’s Creek reunion in September due to health reasons but made a surprise virtual appearance during the event.
The rise of a 90s television icon
Van Der Beek rose to global fame as the earnest and introspective Dawson Leery in Dawson’s Creek, which aired from 1998 to 2003 and became a defining show of its era.
Alongside co-stars Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams and Joshua Jackson, he helped shape a generation of teen television storytelling.
He later appeared in Varsity Blues and Scary Movie, before taking on self-aware and comedic roles, most notably playing a fictionalised version of himself in Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23.
His television career also included appearances in CSI: Cyber, Pose, How I Met Your Mother and One Tree Hill. In recent years, he had continued working steadily while prioritising family life.
Tributes pour in
Following news of his death, tributes from friends and former co-stars flooded social media.
Busy Philipps, who appeared alongside him in Dawson’s Creek, described him as “one in a billion” and said she was “so, so sad”.
Mary-Margaret Humes, who played his mother on the show, called him a “gracious warrior” who fought with “quiet strength and dignity”.
Krysten Ritter, his co-star in Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23, remembered him as “smart, funny, empathic, kind, talented and just pure magic”.
Other stars including Chad Michael Murray, Alfonso Ribeiro and Jennifer Garner also shared messages of heartbreak and support for his family.
A GoFundMe page has reportedly been set up to assist his widow and six children with medical expenses and ongoing family support.
A family man first
Van Der Beek is survived by his wife, Kimberly and their six children: daughters Olivia, Annabel, Emilia and Gwendolyn, and sons Joshua and Jeremiah.
In recent years, he often spoke about how fatherhood had reshaped his priorities and grounded him.
While many will remember him as the face of one of television’s most beloved teen dramas, those closest to him have described him first and foremost as a devoted husband, father and friend.
James Van Der Beek was 48.
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