'Dawson's Creek' actor James van der Beek dies at 48
The beloved American actor, who was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2023, paid tribute to his daughter and father in his final post on social media.
'Dawson's Creek' star James van der Beek has died at the age of 48, following a three-year battle with cancer.
His family confirmed the news in a statement shared on the actor's social media pages. He passed away on Wednesday, February 11.
"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."
Van Der Beek discovered he had colorectal cancer in 2023. He publicly shared his diagnosis in November 2024 after a tabloid threatened to leak the news.
"I’d planned on talking about it at length with People magazine at some point soon… to raise awareness and tell my story on my own terms. But that plan had to be altered early this morning when I was informed that a tabloid was going to run with the news," he wrote on Instagram.
"Apologies to all the people in my life who I’d planned on telling myself... But we roll with it, taking each surprise as a signpost, pointing us toward a greater destiny than we would have discovered without divine intervention."
The actor sold some of his 'Dawson's Creek' memorabilia in an auction last year to raise funds for his cancer treatment. He played Dawson Leery in the popular '90s teen show.
His former 'Dawson's Creek' co-stars, Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, and Joshua Jackson, also took part in a live reading to honour the actor and to raise funds for F Cancer.
Tributes have been pouring in for the actor following news of his death.
Actress Jennifer Garner wrote, "What a heartbreaking loss. So much love to you, Kimberly, and to your kids, as you navigate this tender time."
"I’m so sad for your beautiful family. While James legacy will always live on, this is a huge loss to not just your family but the world. F**k Cancer," 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' actress, Sarah Michelle Gellar commented.
James van der Beek family
Van Der Beek and his wife, Kimberly, have six children together: Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah.
The couple often post pictures of their kids on social media. The last picture Kimberly shared of the whole family together was taken on 30 October 2025.
"Happy Halloween!" she wrote.
Van Der Beek shared his final Instagram post on January 26. It was dedicated to his father, James William, and his daughter Annabel.
"My father and my daughter share a birthday today. At first, I thought that was all they shared - they seemed so different to me," he wrote.
"But as the two of you have evolved, and let more of who you are shine through, I can recognize the same open, warm, loving, gentle heart.... In this crazy world, it’s a wonder to me that you’ve managed to stay so open, so tender, and so genuinely good."
Van Der Beek's mother, Melinda Weber, passed away in 2020. His parents raised him and his siblings, Jared and Juliana, in Connecticut.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for Kimberley and the children. It has already raised over $431, 000 of its $700, 000 target.
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Image credit: Instagram/@vanderkimberly