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

James Van Der Beek, beloved 'Dawson's Creek' star, dies at 48 after a courageous battle with colorectal cancer.

James Van Der Beek, one of the defining television faces of the late 1990s and early 2000s, has passed away aged 48. His family announced his death in a statement shared on his social media accounts, saying he died peacefully after a prolonged illness. “Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” the statement read, adding that he faced his final days “with courage, faith, and grace.”

Van Der Beek revealed in November 2024 that he had been diagnosed with stage three colorectal cancer the previous year. In interviews following his diagnosis, he spoke candidly about recognising subtle changes in his health and undergoing screening, which revealed the disease had spread to nearby lymph nodes. He later used his platform to encourage early testing and awareness, telling Business Insider that if sharing his experience could help others, “that’s magic.”

A post shared by James Van Der Beek (@vanderjames)

He became a household name as Dawson Leery in the long-running teen drama Dawson’s Creek, which aired from 1998 to 2003 and helped launch the careers of several of its cast members. His film work included the high-school football drama Varsity Blues, which cemented his status as a young Hollywood star.

Beyond his early fame, Van Der Beek continued working steadily across television and film, often embracing self-aware or comedic roles, including playing a fictionalised version of himself in Don’t Trust the B---- in Apartment 23. He also appeared on Dancing With the Stars and made recent guest appearances on streaming series, continuing to work even during treatment.

Tributes poured in from across the entertainment industry following the announcement. Former co-stars, friends and fellow actors shared messages remembering him as generous, thoughtful and deeply committed to his family. Busy Philipps wrote on Instagram that her “heart is deeply hurting,” while Sarah Michelle Gellar described the loss as devastating for both his loved ones and the wider world.