James Van Der Beek, the actor best known for his role as Dawson Leery on the teen drama “Dawson’s Creek,” died at 48.
His wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, confirmed his death in a statement posted to Instagram.
“He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,” she wrote. “There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”
In November 2024, Van Der Beek publicly revealed that he had been diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer. In a post on Instagram at the time, he said he had been privately undergoing treatment and focusing on his health.
“I’ve been dealing with this privately until now, getting treatment and dialing in my overall health with greater focus than ever before,” he wrote. “Please know that my family and I deeply appreciate all the love and support.”
He later shared updates about his cancer journey on social media, often expressing gratitude to his wife and children for their support.
Van Der Beek rose to fame in 1998 when he was cast as Dawson Leery, an aspiring filmmaker navigating adolescence in the WB series “Dawson’s Creek.” The show ran for six seasons and became one of the defining teen dramas of its era, later gaining renewed popularity on streaming platforms.
In 2018, marking the show’s 20th anniversary, Van Der Beek reflected on its impact in an Instagram post, writing that the small pilot shot for a fledgling network had changed the cast’s lives and launched their careers.
The series made Van Der Beek a household name and a teen idol at the height of its popularity. He later spoke candidly about that sudden fame, recalling the experience of being surrounded by screaming fans during the late 1990s.
Born James David Van Der Beek on March 8, 1977, in Cheshire, Connecticut, he developed an interest in acting at a young age. He appeared in school productions before making his professional stage debut in an off-Broadway production of Edward Albee’s “Finding the Sun.”
His early film credits included the 1995 coming-of-age drama “Angus” and the independent romance “I Love You, I Love You Not.” Shortly afterward, he landed the lead role in “Dawson’s Creek,” which premiered in 1998 and ran for 128 episodes.
During the show’s run, Van Der Beek also appeared in films including “Varsity Blues” in 1999, as well as cameo roles in “Scary Movie” and “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.”
After “Dawson’s Creek” ended in 2003, he continued working steadily in television and film. His credits included guest roles on “Criminal Minds,” “Ugly Betty,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “One Tree Hill,” “Medium,” and “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.”
In the early 2010s, he portrayed a fictionalized version of himself on the ABC sitcom “Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23,” a role that allowed him to parody his public image.
Van Der Beek is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children. He was previously married to actor Heather McComb.
