James Van Der Beek, the beloved actor widely recognized for his portrayal of Dawson Leery on the iconic series “Dawson’s Creek” and for a diverse range of roles across television and film, passed away on Wednesday, February 11, at the age of 48. His death followed a brave battle with colorectal cancer, a diagnosis he received in 2023 and made public in 2024. His family shared the heartbreaking news through a statement on his Instagram account, conveying that their “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.”

Born in Connecticut, Van Der Beek initiated his acting career Off-Broadway while still attending high school. After several theater productions and independent films, he achieved his breakthrough in 1997 when cast in “Dawson’s Creek.” The show’s creator, Kevin Williamson, drew inspiration from his own upbringing to craft Van Der Beek’s filmmaker character. The highly popular series aired for six seasons on The WB, featuring co-stars such as Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, and Michelle Williams. One of Van Der Beek’s most memorable moments, his tearful reaction to being dumped by Katie Holmes’ character Joey, evolved into a lasting meme.

During his tenure on “Dawson’s Creek,” Van Der Beek expanded his filmography, starring in the 1999 football drama “Varsity Blues,” for which he received an MTV Movie Award. He also appeared as Jay in Kevin Smith’s “Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back” and took a leading role in “The Rules of Attraction.” His additional film credits include “Texas Rangers,” “Formosa Betrayed,” “Labor Day,” and “Bad Hair.”

Following the conclusion of “Dawson’s Creek,” Van Der Beek returned to the stage in “Rain Dance” and made guest appearances on various television series, including “Criminal Minds” and “How I Met Your Mother.” He secured a recurring role as a filmmaker on “One Tree Hill” and later featured in series like “Mercy,” “Don’t Trust the B—- in Apt. 23,” and “Friends With Better Lives.” His performance as a flashy DJ in the Vice scripted series “What Would Diplo Do” garnered positive reviews. More recently, his recurring television credits included “CSI: Cyber” and “Pose,” and he voiced 69 episodes of the animated series “Vampirina.” He also participated in the 28th season of “Dancing With the Stars” and competed as Griffin on “The Masked Singer” in 2025. His most recent guest appearance was in two episodes of “Overcompensating.”

Van Der Beek’s battle with cancer brought significant financial strain to his family. In 2024, after making his diagnosis public, he began collaborating with Propstore to auction off memorabilia from his time on “Dawson’s Creek,” including props, set pieces, and wardrobe, to help alleviate the costs of his extensive cancer treatment. He expressed at the time, “While I have some nostalgia tugging at me as I part with these items, it feels good to be able to offer them through Propstore’s auction to share with those who have supported my work over the years.” Subsequently, he also initiated sales of jerseys from “Varsity Blues,” not only for his own medical expenses but also to assist other families facing similar challenges.

In the wake of his passing, the community rallied to support his wife, Kimberly Brook, and their six children: Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 12, Emilia, 9, Gwendolyn, 7, and Jeremiah, 4. Friends promptly established a GoFundMe account to provide financial aid. The campaign, which initially set a goal of $250,000, quickly surpassed expectations. On February 12, the fund reached $1 million, leading to an increased goal of $1.3 million. The GoFundMe page highlighted the family’s predicament, stating, “The costs of James’s medical care and the extended fight against cancer have left the family out of funds. They are working hard to stay in their home and to ensure the children can continue their education and maintain some stability during this incredibly difficult time.” The funds raised are designated to cover essential living expenses, bills, and the children’s education, offering hope and security as they rebuild their lives.

Tributes poured in from across Hollywood, mourning the loss of the beloved actor. Celebrities like Sarah Michelle Gellar, Chad Michael Murray, Emma Slater, Paul Walter Hauser, and Roger Avary shared their condolences and memories. Gellar wrote, “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. Fuck Cancer.” Murray extended love and light, recognizing Van Der Beek as “a giant” whose “words, art and humanity inspired all of us.” Emma Slater, his “Dancing With the Stars” partner, expressed devastation, calling him family. Paul Walter Hauser also contributed to his cancer treatment and pledged continued support for the family. Furthermore, the cast of “Dawson’s Creek” had reunited in September for a benefit in New York to raise money for Van Der Beek, where, too ill to attend in person, he sent a video message.