James Van Der Beek, best known for his lead role in the hit 1990s teen drama Dawson’s Creek, has died at the age of 48 following a battle with cancer, his wife announced on Wednesday.
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“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,” his wife, Kimberly, wrote in a post on Instagram.
The actor revealed in 2024 that he had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, which was discovered during a routine colonoscopy the previous year. At the time, he said he had been dealing with the illness privately while undergoing treatment.
“I’ve been dealing with this privately until now, getting treatment and dialing in my overall health with greater focus than ever before,” Van Der Beek wrote on social media following his diagnosis.
He continued to share updates about his health and treatment journey with fans in the months leading up to his death.
A native of Connecticut, Van Der Beek rose to fame in the late 1990s with his portrayal of Dawson Leery in Dawson’s Creek, starring alongside Michelle Williams, Joshua Jackson and Katie Holmes. The series ran until 2003 and made him a teen idol of the early 2000s.
Beyond his breakout television role, he also appeared in films such as Varsity Blues, where he played Mox, and The Rules of Attraction, in which he portrayed Sean Bateman.
Van Der Beek is remembered for his contributions to television and film, as well as for his openness during his battle with cancer.
