James Van Der Beek, the actor best known for his role as Dawson Leery in the hit 1990s television series Dawson’s Creek, has died at the age of 48 after a battle with bowel cancer. His family announced his death peacefully this morning in a statement posted to his social media accounts, stating he faced his final days “with courage, faith, and grace.”
Van Der Beek was diagnosed with the disease in the latter half of 2023, but kept the diagnosis private until November 2024. He is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and six children.
Dawson’s Creek, which aired from 1998 to 2003, catapulted Van Der Beek to fame. The series, alongside co-stars Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, and Michelle Williams, became a cultural touchstone for a generation. He as well appeared in the film Varsity Blues in 1999.
In an interview with Business Insider, Van Der Beek detailed experiencing changes in his bowel movements, a common symptom of colorectal cancer. He initially altered his diet, eliminating coffee, before undergoing a screening test that revealed a stage three diagnosis, meaning the cancer had spread to nearby lymph nodes.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, colorectal cancer develops from growths in the colon’s inner lining and can spread if left untreated. Increased screenings have been shown to improve early detection rates and lower mortality.
Van Der Beek spoke candidly about the emotional toll of his treatment, telling Business Insider that his “lowest point” was the feeling of losing core aspects of his identity. “All these beautiful things that I love, and I used to define myself as – a father, a provider, a husband – all that got taken away, or at least paused,” he said. “I had to sit there and say, ‘Well, what am I?’ And it was, ‘I’m still worthy of love.’”
Following his diagnosis, Van Der Beek became an advocate for cancer screening awareness. He shared his experiences in an effort to encourage others to seek early detection.
More recently, Van Der Beek made a virtual appearance at a charity event benefiting F Cancer on September 22, reuniting with his Dawson’s Creek co-stars Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, and Busy Philipps. The event, which also featured Lin-Manuel Miranda, raised funds for the organization and served as a tribute to Van Der Beek, after he was forced to cancel a planned in-person appearance due to illness.
In a 2020 interview with ABC News, Van Der Beek revealed he had been a shy child, initially disinclined towards a career in acting. He also appeared in the 28th season of Dancing with the Stars and had a guest role in Prime Video’s Overcompensating earlier this year.
Tributes to Van Der Beek have poured in from fellow actors, and fans. Sarah Michelle Gellar, star of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, expressed her sadness for his family on Instagram. Jennifer Garner described his death as a “devastating loss.” Busy Philipps shared a lengthy tribute on Instagram, highlighting his unique spirit and launching a fundraising campaign to support his family.
SAG-AFTRA, the actors’ union, honored Van Der Beek for bringing “sincerity, depth, and feeling” to his performances.
