Actor James Van Der Beek, best known for starring in the teenage drama series Dawson’s Creek, died Wednesday at age 48. Van Der Beek was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2023 and publicly disclosed his illness in 2024.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” his family wrote on social media. “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.”
Born in Connecticut, Van Der Beek began acting while still in high school, but his breakthrough came in 1997 when he was cast as Dawson Leery in the hit series. He starred alongside Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson and Michelle Williams, who reunited last September at a special fundraiser for cancer research in support of their former co-star.
During the show’s run from 1998 to 2003 and afterward, Van Der Beek appeared in a range of projects, including Scary Movie, The Rules of Attraction, A Star Is Born, How I Met Your Mother, Modern Family and provided voice work in Howl’s Moving Castle.
Over the past decade, he competed on season 28 of Dancing With the Stars and appeared on the reality show The Masked Singer. His most recent guest role was in two episodes of the series Overcompensating.
In a previous interview with Business Insider about his illness, he said: “All these beautiful things that I love, and I used to define myself as — a father, a provider, a husband — all that got taken away, or at least paused. I had to sit there and say, 'Well, what am I?' And it was, 'I'm still worthy of love.’”
Van Der Beek was previously married to actress Heather McComb. He is survived by his wife, Kimberly Brook, and their six children.