James Van Der Beek, the ’90s heartthrob who once held down the WB drama Dawson’s Creek as its titular character, has died. He was 48.
In a post on his Instagram account, Van Der Beek’s wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, wrote, “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.”
In November 2024, Van Der Beek announced that he had been diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer. In a post on Instagram—where he chronicled his illness over the last 14 months—he wrote, “I’ve been dealing with this privately until now, getting treatment and dialing in my overall health with greater focus than ever before. I’m in a good place and feeling strong. It’s been quite the initiation, and I’ll tell you more when I’m ready.”
Van Der Beek endeared himself to millions through his portrayal of Dawson Leery in Dawson’s Creek, which ran for six seasons between 1998 and 2003. He also starred as Mox, the second string quarterback turned star player to cover his coach’s criminal actions, in 1999’s Varsity Blues. He played versions of himself in Scary Movie and two Jay & Silent Bob films.
In the 2000s, Van Der Beek starred in Kesha’s “Blow” music video, then took on an aggrandized version of himself in Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23 opposite Krysten Ritter.
“It was a really fun character to play because he was completely without shame,” he told The Hollywood Reporter in 2014. “It’s fun to mock the business, and it’s fun to keep your own ego in check, too. You feel very safe when you’re constantly destroying all those little things you keep precious as an actor. It’s a very liberating feeling.”
Van Der Beek is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children.
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