James Van Der Beek, the actor who became a household name as the star of “Dawson’s Creek,” died Wednesday. He was 48.
“He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,” his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, wrote on Instagram. “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,” she added.
Van Der Beek revealed in November 2024 that he had been diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer, a disease affecting the colon or rectum.
“I’ve been dealing with this privately until now, getting treatment and dialing in my overall health with greater focus than ever before,” Van Der Beek said in a Nov. 3, 2024, Instagram post. “Please know that my family and I deeply appreciate all the love and support.”
He later shared updates about his health journey online, often praising his wife and children for standing by him.
Van Der Beek was best known for playing Dawson Leery, the earnest aspiring filmmaker at the center of the WB teen drama “Dawson’s Creek.” The series ran for six seasons, helped define an era of late-1990s television and gained renewed popularity through streaming.
“The little pilot we shot in that small town for that fledgling network aired, changed our lives and launched our careers,” Van Der Beek wrote on Instagram on Jan. 25, 2018, marking the show’s 20th anniversary.
The breakout role turned Van Der Beek into a teen idol and launched a career that spanned television, film and stage.
