James Van Der Beek, Dawson’s Creek star, dies at 48 after a battle with colorectal cancer

James Van Der Beek, Dawson’s Creek star, dies at 48 after a battle with colorectal cancer

• James Van Der Beek died at 48 after battling colorectal cancer
• He was best known for his role as Dawson Leery in Dawson's Creek
• Van Der Beek is survived by his wife Kimberly and their six children

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James David Van Der Beek, the actor who became a household name as the sensitive, introspective Dawson Leery on the groundbreaking teen drama Dawson’s Creek, died on Wednesday at age 48 after a prolonged battle with colorectal cancer, his family announced.

Van Der Beek’s passing was confirmed in a statement posted to his official Instagram account, expressing that he “passed peacefully” and that he faced his final days “with courage, faith and grace.”

Born in Cheshire, Connecticut, in 1977, James first rose to international prominence in 1998 when he was cast as the titular character in Dawson’s Creek, a series that became a defining show for a generation of television viewers. The WB drama, which ran until 2003, earned praise for its dialogue, emotional depth, and the chemistry of its young cast.

Beyond Dawson’s Creek, James enjoyed a diverse career in both film and television. He starred in the teen football drama Varsity Blues and appeared in series such as Don’t Trust the B- in Apartment 23 and CSI: Cyber, while also embracing self-parody in comedic roles later in his career.

In November 2024, James publicly disclosed his diagnosis with colorectal cancer, a battle that lasted more than a year and drew widespread support from fans and colleagues alike. Throughout his illness, he spoke openly about his experience, once telling audiences that despite the diagnosis he was “in a good place and feeling strong.”

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James is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children. In the wake of his death, friends and co-stars expressed profound grief and paid tribute to his impact on television and on their lives.