Actor James Van Der Beek, best known for his starring role in US teen drama Dawson’s Creek, has died aged 48 after being diagnosed with bowel cancer.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” his family said in a statement posted to his social media accounts. “He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace.”
The star was diagnosed with the disease in the latter half of 2023 but only revealed the news in November 2024.
The father of six starred in multiple popular shows and films in the late 1990s and early 2000s, including the cult classic Dawson’s Creek and Varsity Blues.
In an interview with Business Insider, he revealed he started experiencing changes in his bowel movements, a common symptom of bowel cancer. He stopped drinking coffee to see whether that would help before having a screening test.
That revealed he had stage three of the disease, which meant it had spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Colorectal cancer develops from growths in the colon’s inner lining and can spread if not treated, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
More men develop this form of cancer than women. Increased screenings have helped detect it early – lowering the number of people who die from colorectal cancer, the clinic notes.
Van Der Beek said his “lowest point” in treatment was feeling like he was losing core parts of his identity.
“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,” he said. “I had to sit there and say, ‘Well, what am I?’ And it was, ‘I’m still worthy of love.'”
Following his own diagnosis, Van Der Beek spent time raising awareness about screening.
“I’ve learned a lot,” he told Business Insider. “If I can save anyone from having to go through this, that’s magic.”
Van Der Beek was one of the most famous faces on TV in the late 1990s and 2000s, starring as Dawson Leery alongside Katie Holmes in the hit TV show Dawson’s Creek, which ran from 1998 to 2003.
He also starred in the 1999 coming-of-age film Varsity Blues.
He also played a fictionalised version of himself in the cult television show Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23, and he performed on the 28th US season of Dancing with the Stars.
Van Der Beek continued working through his diagnosis.
Earlier this year, he guest starred in Prime Video college comedy, Overcompensating.
Van Der Beek made a surprise virtual appearance at a Dawson’s Creek reunion charity event on 22 September, having been forced to pull out of the live event due to having two stomach viruses.
The reunion saw the likes of Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson and Busy Philipps performing a live table reading of the show’s pilot episode from 1998, joined by Lin-Manuel Miranda who stood in for Van Der Beek.
The event raised funds for charity F Cancer and was also a tribute to their castmate.
In an interview with ABC News in 2020, Van Der Beek said he was very shy as a child.
“I never wanted to be an actor as a kid. I wanted to be an athlete,” he said.
Condolences have been pouring in on the comments section of the family’s post announcing Van Der Beek’s death and across social media.
In a post with photos over the years, Dawson’s Creek co-star Busy Philipps mourned the loss of her friend.
“My heart is deeply hurting for all of us today…every person who knew James and loved him, anyone who loved his work or had the pleasure of meeting him, all of his dear friends and community that surrounded him as he battled this illness,” she wrote on Instagram.
Philipps, who played Audrey Liddell on the series, directed her 2.4m followers to a fundraiser supporting his family to help with expenses, writing that she was “heartbroken” for them.
Commenting on the family’s Instagram announcement, Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Sarah Michelle Gellar wrote that she is “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,” the actress wrote.
Director and actress Olivia Munn added: “I’m so sorry. My prayers are with you and your beautiful family”.
Actress Jennifer Garner described Van Der Beek’s death as a “heartbreaking loss” and sent love to his widow Kimberly and their children as they “navigate this tender time”.
Model and make-up artist Tess Holiday said she was “so incredibly sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your sweet ones.”
In a joint post with production company Sony Pictures, the official Dawson’s Creek accounts on social media posted a photo of the late actor smiling in character as Dawson Leery.
“His iconic portrayal of Dawson Leery helped define a generation of television for fans and continues to resonate with audiences today,” the caption read. “Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
SAG-AFTRA, the labour union representing Hollywood actors and performers that Van Der Beek joined in 1994, honoured him for “bringing sincerity, depth and heart to his performances”.
Actor Hal Ozsan, who described Van Der Beek as a brother, wrote on Instagram that he does not have the words to express the grief he is feeling: “There will be a James-sized hole in my heart for the rest of my life.”
By BBC News
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