James Van Der Beek, the actor best known for his lead role in the iconic teen drama Dawson’s Creek, has died at the age of 48 following a battle with colorectal cancer.

The news of his passing was announced by his wife, producer Kimberly Van Der Beek, in an Instagram post on February 11. She wrote:

“Our beloved husband, James David Van Der Beek, passed away peacefully this morning. He faced his final days with courage, faith, and serenity. There is so much to share about his wishes, his love for humanity, and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now, we ask for privacy as we grieve the loss of our husband, father, son, brother, and dear friend.”
The post quickly garnered more than one million likes and tens of thousands of condolence messages from fans. Many expressed deep sorrow, saying that his character Dawson Leery had been an unforgettable part of their youth.

According to U.S. sources, James Van Der Beek was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in 2023. He reportedly described the diagnosis as a profound shock and a turning point that reshaped his entire life. Despite the illness, he remained optimistic and focused on his health and family, once sharing: “I still have so much to live for. Life is beautiful.”

His death has sent shockwaves through Hollywood. Colleagues including Sarah Michelle Gellar and Chad Michael Murray paid tribute to him, remembering him as an inspiration for his courage and love of life.

Born in 1977 in Connecticut, USA, Van Der Beek began his acting career in school theater productions. His breakthrough role came as Dawson Leery in Dawson’s Creek (1998–2003), a series about a group of teenagers in a fictional town navigating love, dreams, mental health, and social issues. Starring alongside Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, and Michelle Williams, the show became a defining teen drama of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

After Dawson’s Creek, he appeared in films and television projects such as Varsity Blues (1999), The Rules of Attraction, How I Met Your Mother, and most recently Sidelined 2: Intercepted (2025). His final public appearance was on NBC’s Today show in December 2025, where he said his health had improved significantly.

In his personal life, James Van Der Beek was married twice. His first marriage to actress Heather McComb lasted from 2003 to 2010. Later that year, he married Kimberly Van Der Beek in Israel. The couple share six children.