The iconic actor who rose to fame as Dawson Leery revealed in 2024 that he had been diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer and later shared his health journey publicly<\/p>\n
James Van Der Beek, the iconic actor who rose to fame as Dawson Leery on the hit teen drama Dawson\u2019s Creek, has died at 48 after an almost three-year battle with colorectal cancer.<\/p>\n
His wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, confirmed his death on Wednesday in a statement shared on Instagram. \u201cOur beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning.\u00a0 He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace.\u00a0 There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time.\u00a0 Those days will come.\u00a0For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.\u201d<\/p>\n
Van Der Beek revealed in November 2024 that he had been diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer, saying he had been undergoing treatment privately for almost a year before making the news public. In the months that followed, Van Der Beek documented parts of his health journey online, always expressing prayers and gratitude to his wife and six children.<\/p>\n
Born March 8, 1977, in Cheshire, Connecticut, James David Van Der Beek developed an interest in acting at a young age, appearing in school productions before making his professional debut in the off-Broadway play \u201cFinding the Sun.\u201d He landed some small film roles in 1995 and 1996, but\u00a0was about to explode on the screen and into the hearts of young teens everywhere.<\/p>\n
His breakthrough came in 1998 when \u201cDawson\u2019s Creek\u201d premiered on The WB. Set in a fictional Massachusetts seaside town, the series centered on the friendships and complicated romance of four teenagers. Van Der Beek starred alongside Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson. The show ran for six seasons and became a defining series of late-1990s teen television, and a true millennial favorite.<\/p>\n
In September 2025, Van Der Beek was sadly forced to skip the in-person Dawson\u2019s Creek cast reunion charity event (a reading of the series\u2019 pilot) due to health issues and a bout of stomach viruses he contracted amid his cancer battle. Lin-Manuel Miranda stepped in to perform in his place, and Van Der Beek recorded a video that had his fans worried based on his frail appearance.<\/p>\n
During and after his time on \u201cDawson\u2019s Creek,\u201d Van Der Beek expanded into film, starring in \u201cVarsity Blues\u201d (for which he won an MTV Movie Award) and appearing in \u201cScary Movie\u201d and \u201cJay and Silent Bob Strike Back,\u201d and \u201cRules of Attraction.\u201d He later took on many television roles, including guest appearances on \u201cCriminal Minds,\u201d \u201cHow I Met Your Mother,\u201d \u201cOne Tree Hill,\u201d and \u201cLaw & Order: Criminal Intent.\u201d<\/p>\n
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In later years, Van Der Beek appeared in the CBS series \u201cCSI: Cyber\u201d and the FX drama \u201cPose,\u201d continuing to work steadily while balancing family life. On his 48th birthday this past March, he reflected<\/a> on how difficult the last year has been for him battling cancer, trying to balance his family, remain grateful, and shift his priorities. Van Der Beek truly leaned on his family, whom he loved so dearly.<\/p>\n He is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children: Olivia, 14, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 11, Emilia, 8, Gwendolyn, 6, and Jeremiah, 2.<\/p>\n