James Van Der Beek, the actor best known for his role as Dawson Leery in the iconic teen drama Dawson’s Creek, has passed away at the age of 48.
His wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, confirmed the news in a heartfelt Instagram post on Wednesday.
“He faced his final days with courage, faith, and grace,” she wrote. “There’s so much to share about his wishes, his love for humanity, and the sacredness of time. Those moments will come.”
“For now, we ask for privacy as we grieve the loss of our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend,” she added.
In November 2024, Van Der Beek revealed he had been diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer. At the time, he shared that he had been undergoing treatment privately while focusing on his health and family.
“I’ve been handling this privately until now, focusing on treatment and improving my overall health with more dedication than ever before,” he wrote in a November 3, 2024, Instagram post. “My family and I are deeply grateful for all the love and support.”
Throughout his cancer journey, He often shared updates on social media, expressing gratitude for his wife and children.
A Career That Defined a Generation
Van Der Beek rose to fame in 1998 as Dawson Leery, the earnest, aspiring filmmaker at the heart of Dawson’s Creek. The WB series, set in a fictional seaside town in Massachusetts, became a defining teen drama of its era. It also launched the careers of co-stars Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, and Joshua Jackson.
Reflecting on the show’s 20th anniversary in 2018, Van Der Beek wrote, “The little pilot we shot in that small town for that fledgling network aired, changed our lives, and launched our careers.”
The success of Dawson’s Creek made Van Der Beek a teen idol and opened doors to film roles. He starred as a high school quarterback in the 1999 hit Varsity Blues and appeared in movies like Scary Movie (2000) and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001).
Life After “Dawson’s Creek”
After the series ended in 2003, Van Der Beek continued to work steadily in television and film. He made guest appearances on popular shows like Criminal Minds, Ugly Betty, How I Met Your Mother, One Tree Hill, Medium, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent.
In the early 2010s, he earned critical praise for playing a fictionalized version of himself in the ABC sitcom Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23. The self-aware role allowed him to poke fun at his fame. He later appeared in the CBS procedural CSI: Cyber and the FX drama Pose.
Early Life and Legacy
Born James David Van Der Beek on March 8, 1977, in Cheshire, Connecticut, he began acting as a child. He made his professional debut in an off-Broadway production of Edward Albee’s Finding the Sun. His early film credits included Angus (1995) and I Love You, I Love You Not (1996).
Van Der Beek is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children. He was previously married to actor Heather McComb.
