James Van Der Beek of Dawson’s Creek Fame Has Died

Actor James Van Der Beek, best known for his role as the title character on The WB teen drama Dawson’s Creek, has died after a battle with cancer. He was 48.

His passing was confirmed by his family on his Instagram page with the following message:

“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. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”

The actor had been battling colorectal cancer, which he was diagnosed with in 2023 and made public in 2024. He’s survived by his wife Kimberly Van Der Beek and their children Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah.

Van Der Beek started acting professionally on stage Off-Broadway while he was still in high school, but he achieved fame when series creator Kevin Williamson cast him in Dawson’s Creek in 1997. The show would run for six seasons and also launch the careers of Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams and Joshua Jackson.

He also appeared in films such as Varsity Blues, Texas Rangers, The Rules of Attraction, and Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, as well as other TV series including One Tree Hill and, more recently, CSI: Cyber, Dancing With the Stars, and The Masked Singer.