‘Dawson’s Creek’ Star James Van Der Beek Dies at 48

“For the first time in a long time, my life is real. Doesn’t matter who ends up with who; in some unearthly way, it’s always going to be you and me. What we have goes beyond friendship, beyond lovers. It’s forever.” — Dawson Leery, "Dawson's Creek" (2003)

"Dawson’s Creek” star James Van Der Beek has died at the age of 48.

James' wife Kimberly confirmed his death, writing on Instagram, "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."

Kimberly has set up a Go Fund Me page to help with the Van Der Beek family "cover essential living expenses, pay bills, and support the children’s education."

Van Der Beek is survived by Kimberly and their six children: Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah.

According to TMZ, Van Der Beek’s death was reported to the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office on Wednesday morning.

At the time of his death, he had been fighting colorectal cancer for more than a year.

Over a month ago, Van Der Beek spoke out about his battle with cancer.

In an interview with “Today” co-host Craig Melvin, Van Der Beek said, “I feel much, much better than I did a couple months ago."

He went on, “It’s been a longer journey than I ever thought it would be. It’s required more of me — more patience, more discipline, more strength than I knew I had. I knew I was strong. I didn’t know I was this strong. But I feel good.”

As for treatment, James said he was “trying a bunch of stuff” but declined to share specifics.

James also explained why he was forced to miss the “Dawson’s Creek” reunion in September. 

Van Der Beek noted that it was due to a stomach virus, adding, “No, it was not cancer-related. Although with cancer, everything’s like, ‘Why don’t we super-size that stomach virus?’”

He admitted, “As crushed as I was not being able to go to that ‘Dawson’s Creek’ reunion, my family got to go. And I was Zooming in on that night, and they got a standing ovation just for taking their seats. And all that love that would have otherwise been directed at me was directed at my family. It was just one of the most beautiful moments I’ve ever gotten to witness. I’m just so grateful to the fans for doing that.”

The “Dawson’s” cast reunited at Richard Rodgers Theatre in NYC for a reading of the show’s first episode to raise cash for F Cancer in light of Van Der Beek’s stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis.

The star was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer in 2023 at age 46 after requesting a colonoscopy.

Born March 8, 1977, in Cheshire, Connecticut, he began acting in middle school.

With NYC a short distance away, he persuaded his mom to take him there for auditions. At just 16, he made his off-Broadway debut in Edward Albee's play "Finding the Sun."

He continued acting while in college, making his TV debut on an episode of "Clarissa Explains It All" in 1993 and his film debut in 1995's "Angus."

Van Der Beek auditioned for three shows during the pilot season of '97, landing the role that would make him famous, that of introspective teen Dawson Leery — what Dawson really wanted to do was direct — on The WB's "Dawson's Creek." When it premiered on January 20, 1998, it became a sensation, making him a teen-magazine heartthrob; turning himself and co-stars Joshua Jackson, Michelle Williams and Katie Holmes into A-listers; and opening up lucrative feature-film options for Van Der Beek.

In short order, he won two MTV Awards and was chosen one of People's magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People in the World in 1998.

While on the phenomenally popular series for six seasons, he shot the hit film "Varsity Blues" (1999), the parody "Scary Movie" (2000), "Texas Rangers" (2001), "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" (2001), and an adaptation of the edgy Bret Easton Ellis novel "The Rules of Attraction" (2002).

Van Der Beek's other TV work included appearances on "Ugly Betty" (2007), "How I Met Your Mother" (2008-2013), "One Tree Hill" (2008-2009), "Medium" (2009), "Mercy" (2010), and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (2011).

For 26 episodes from 2012-2013, he played against his wholesome type as a fading actor on the sitcom "Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23." He was a main cast member on Season 1 of the acclaimed drama series "Pose" (2018) and competed on both "Dancing with the Stars" (2019) and "The Masked Singer" (2025).

He also did memorable voice work from 2017-2021 on the Disney Jr. series "Vampirina."

Van Der Beek's last TV work to air during his lifetime was on the series "Overcompensating" (2025), but he also shot scenes for the "Legally Blond" prequel series "Elle," coming later this year.

Other film work included "The Plague" (2006), "Formosa Betrayed" (2009), "Labor Day" (2013), "Downsizing" (2017), "Jay and Silent Bob Reboot" (2019), and the "Sidelined" movies (2024 & 2025) for Tubi.

Van Der Beek was one of those actors whose fans never stopped caring about him, or identifying with him. His cancer battle had been gripping for so many who came up with him as a beneficent presence on TV. Never one to be bitter about typecasting — or to waste his platform — Van Der Beek stripped down along with Anthony Anderson and others as a part of the December 2024 FOX special "The Real Full Monty." The special was conceived to encourage awareness of prostate, testicular, and colorectal cancer.

He had made it his mission to get well, but also to try to help others.

Fans are reminded of the driving lyric in Paula Cole's hit theme song of the TV show that made him famous: "I don't wanna wait for our lives to be over / I want to know right now, what will it be?"

It wound up being a short life, but time well spent.