James Van Der Beek, the American actor best known for his starring role as Dawson Leery in Dawson’s Creek from 1998 to 2003, has died at the age of 48.
Van Der Beek was also known for playing a fictionalised version of himself on the sitcom Don’t Trust the B**** in Apartment 23, as well as for roles in the films Varsity Blues and The Rules of Attraction.
He was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2023.
His family announced the news with a statement on his Instagram: “Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning.”
“He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time,” they said.
“Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”
‘Exquisitely talented heart-throb’
Dawson’s Creek first aired in 1998 and followed the lives of a group of young high-school friends in a coastal town in Massachusetts.
The coming-of-age drama ran for six seasons and, along with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, became a flagship show for the fledgling WB channel as it sought to establish itself as a rival to the larger ABC, CBS and NBC networks.
It was broadcast in more than 50 countries and proved particularly popular in Australia.
Van Der Beek’s performance made him a major celebrity at the time, and he became a fixture on both critics’ watch lists and the cover of teen magazines.
However, while his career continued in both TV and film after the series ended in 2003, it was predominantly his young co-stars, including Katie Holmes and Michelle Williams, who went on to achieve major Hollywood success.
Sharing his diagnosis
James Van Der Beek, pictured in 2020, became a household name in the late 90s. (AP: Greg Allen, Invision)
Van Der Beek revealed publicly that he had cancer in a social media post in November 2024 after getting word that a tabloid was going to publish a story about his diagnosis.
“I’ve been dealing with this privately until now, getting treatment and dialling in my overall health with greater focus than ever before,” he wrote on Instagram.
“I’m in a good place and feeling strong.
“Apologies to all the people in my life who I’d planned on telling myself. Nothing about this process has occurred on my preferred timeline.”
Shortly afterwards he told People Magazine that he had a lot to live for and wanted to use his diagnosis to help raise awareness about colorectal cancer, which was becoming more common in otherwise healthy adults under 55.
He had previously filmed The Real Full Monty, a TV special promoting early cancer detection.
As the actor focused on his health he confirmed in May 2025 that he was joining the Legally Blonde prequel series Elle, for a recurring guest star role.
He told NBC’s Today Show that “the greatest thing about work is cancer doesn’t exist between action and cut”.
An emotional reunion
In September 2025 the rest of the Dawson’s Creek main cast reunited in New York for a live reading of the show’s pilot episode to benefit the F*** Cancer foundation and honour Van Der Beek.
While he was unable to make it due to illness, Van Der Beek delivered an emotional video message.
In November 2025 Van Der Beek, who lived in Texas, announced he was selling some memorabilia to help with the financial cost of his cancer treatment.
The items put up for auction included a flannel shirt his character wore in Dawson’s Creek, bedroom set decorations and a necklace from the show.
His film-worn cleats and West Canaan Coyotes Hat from the 1999 movie Varsity Blues were also part of the sale.
The star leaves behind his wife Kimberly and their six children.