James Van Der Beek, best known for his role as Dawson Leery in the hit WB series Dawson’s Creek, died Wednesday, February 11, at his home in Texas, following a battle with Stage 3 colorectal cancer. He was 48.
The actor’s wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, announced his death in a statement posted to his Instagram account, noting he “passed peacefully” and had faced his final days “with courage, faith, and grace.” Van Der Beek publicly revealed his diagnosis in November 2024, stating he had been privately dealing with the cancer since August 2023.
News of Van Der Beek’s passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from fellow actors and colleagues. Sarah Michelle Gellar, writing on Kimberly Van Der Beek’s Instagram post, expressed her sorrow, stating, “I’m so sad for your beautiful family. While James legacy will always live on, this is a huge loss to not just your family but the world. F–k Cancer.”
Chad Michael Murray, who co-starred with Van Der Beek on One Tree Hill, also shared a message of support in the comments section of Kimberly Van Der Beek’s post. “Sending love and light to your beautiful family. James was a giant. We’re so so so sorry for what you’re going through. His words, art, and humanity inspired all of us – he inspired us to be better in all ways. God bless you guys….”
Alfonso Ribeiro, host of Dancing With the Stars, shared a more personal reflection on Instagram, writing, “I am broken. So happy to have him in my life. Lucky I got to be there to say goodbye.”
Van Der Beek’s career spanned television and film, including roles in Varsity Blues (1999), The Rules of Attraction (2002), and more recently, Pose. He was praised for his willingness to embrace diverse roles and for his self-deprecating humor.
He is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children: Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 12, Emilia, 9, Gwendolyn, 7, and Jeremiah, 4. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support the family, as shared by Busy Phillips on her Instagram account.
