James Van Der Beek Dies: Dawson’s Creek Star Was 48
- February 11, 2026 – James Van Der Beek, the actor who rose to fame portraying Dawson Leery on the teen drama “Dawson’s Creek,” has died at the age...
- The news was announced on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, with a post on the actor’s official Instagram page.
- A representative for Van Der Beek confirmed his death to USA Today and shared information about a GoFundMe established for the family.
James Van Der Beek, ‘Dawson’s Creek’ Star, Dies at 48 After Cancer Battle
– James Van Der Beek, the actor who rose to fame portraying Dawson Leery on the teen drama “Dawson’s Creek,” has died at the age of 48 following a battle with colorectal cancer.
The news was announced on Wednesday, , with a post on the actor’s official Instagram page. “Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” the post read. It continued, stating that he “met his final days with courage, faith, and grace.” The family requested privacy as they grieve.
A representative for Van Der Beek confirmed his death to USA Today and shared information about a GoFundMe established for the family.
Van Der Beek was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in August 2023 and publicly shared his illness in November 2024. Despite his health challenges, he continued to work, appearing in roles on the CW’s “Walker” in 2024 and Amazon Prime Video’s comedy “Overcompensating” in 2025.
He also participated in the Fox competition show “The Masked Singer” in 2025 and had been cast in Amazon Prime’s upcoming “Legally Blonde” prequel, “Elle,” as Dean Wilson, a school district superintendent and mayoral candidate.
Born on , in Cheshire, Connecticut, Van Der Beek began his acting career in 1992. He became a household name with “Dawson’s Creek,” which aired on The WB from 1998 to 2003. The series followed the lives of a group of teenagers as they navigated the complexities of adolescence.
According to a post on Instagram from , Van Der Beek reflected on the impact of “Dawson’s Creek,” writing that the show “changed our lives and launched our careers.”
Beyond “Dawson’s Creek,” Van Der Beek’s film credits included “Varsity Blues” (1998), “Texas Rangers” (2001), “The Rules of Attraction” (2002), “Formosa Betrayed” (2009), “Labor Day” (2013), and “Bad Hair” (2020). He also took on roles in television series such as “CSI: Cyber” and “Pose.”
In the weeks leading up to his death, Van Der Beek remained active on social media, celebrating the joint birthday of his father and one of his daughters just two weeks prior. He wrote of his father, “In this crazy world, it’s a wonder to me that you’ve managed to stay so open, so tender, and so genuinely good.”
James Van Der Beek is survived by his wife, Kimberly Brook Van Der Beek, and their six children.