James Van Der Beek, the all-American actor who starred as the small-town, earnest dreamer Dawson Leery in the ’90s coming-of-age drama series “Dawson’s Creek,” died Wednesday. He was 48.
The death was announced in a statement posted to Van Der Beek’s official Instagram account.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” the statement said. “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.”
Van Der Beek announced in November 2024 that he had been “been privately dealing” with Stage 3 colorectal cancer and was receiving treatment.
On his 48th birthday in March, Van Der Beek described the past year as “the hardest year” of his life. During his grueling battle with cancer, he said he was forced to “look my own mortality in the eye” and “come nose to nose with death,” an experience that ultimately gave him a profound lesson in self-worth.
“I was away for treatment, so I could no longer be a husband that was helpful to my wife. I could no longer be a father who could pick up his kids and put them to bed and be there for them,” Van Der Beek said.
“I was faced with the question, if I am just a too skinny, weak guy alone in an apartment with cancer, what am I?” he continued. “I meditated, and the answer came through — I am worthy of God’s love simply because I exist."
When “Dawson’s Creek” premiered in 1998, Van Der Beek starred as the golden-haired teenager Dawson Leery, a sensitive, wide-eyed teenager determined to become a filmmaker. His portrayal quickly catapulted him to stardom and made him the face of the mega-popular teen drama.
As a young heartthrob, Van Der Beek also starred in “Varsity Blues” and “The Rules of Attraction.” He also had recurring roles on “One Tree Hill,” “How I Met Your Mother” and “Friends With Better Lives.”
Later, Van Der Beek had roles in “Don’t Trust the B---- in Apartment 23,” “CSI: Cyber,” “What Would Diplo Do?” and “Pose.”
He is survived by his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their six children, Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah.