Actor James Van Der Beek, best known for his role in the American TV series ‘Dawson’s Creek’, has sadly passed away. He was 48. News of his demise on Wednesday, comes amid the actor’s highly publicized battle with colorectal cancer.
James Van Der Beek’s family release statement
“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 sharee regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now, we ask for preaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother and friend,” read a post on his Instagram page.
James Van Der Beek’s cancer battle
Van Der Beek, who was married and had six children, announced his cancer diagnosis in 2024.He made a surprise video appearance in September at a ‘Dawson’s Creek’ reunion charity event in New York City after previously dropping out due to illness.He appeared projected onstage at the Richard Rodgers Theater during a live reading of the show’s pilot episode to benefit F Cancer and Van Der Beek. Lin-Manuel Miranda subbed for him on stage. “Thank you to every single person here,” Van Der Beek said.
Van Der Beek goes public with Cancer diagnosis
“I have colorectal cancer,” James said in a statement to People magazine and went on to add, “I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family. There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good.”Later in an Instagram post, the actor said, “… 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. I’ve been dealing with this privately until now, getting treatment and dialing in my overall health with greater focus than ever before. I’m in a good place and feeling strong. It’s been quite the initiation, and I’ll tell you more when I’m ready.” Van Der Beek also apologized to the people in his life whom he had planned on telling himself. “Nothing about this process has occurred on my preferred timeline… 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. Please know that my family and I deeply appreciate all the love and support,” he further said in the post.
James Van Der Beek’s film career
He was best known for playing Dawson, the lead character of the eponymous 1998–2003 teen drama that followed a group of friends living in a small Massachusetts town. While he also had roles in the films ‘Varsity Blues’ and ‘The Rules of Attraction’, Van Der Beek never truly established himself in cinema as he struggled to separate himself from the legacy of ‘Dawson’s Creek’. But the actor insisted he was happy with his career path. “Overall, I’ve worn my past with pride rather than seeing it as something to get rid of,” he told celebrity site Page Six in 2011.
Van Der Beek’s final post
Wednesday’s Instagram post showed a picture of Van Der Beek wearing a white top and cardigan. It was also shared by his wife Kimberly.The actor’s final post was made on January 26, with the actor sharing a birthday message for his father and his daughter, who shared the same birthday. Sharing a couple of photos, he wrote, “My father and my daughter share a birthday today. At first, I thought that was all they shared – they seemed so different to me. 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. I see the care and dedication you shower upon those you love most. I see the same out-of-the-box Aquarian creativity and originality. And you both make every room you’re in more fun. Different senses of humor, but you both have a way of alchemizing the vibe around you in such a subtle way one can almost miss how powerfully you do this.”He went on to add, “In this crazy world, it’s a wonder to me that you’ve managed to stay so open, so tender, and so genuinely good. You are wonders… and I’m so insanely grateful to have you in my life. The world is a better place because the two of you are in it. Happy birthday, guys. I love you with all my heart.”
Hollywood celebs mourn his loss
Taking to the comments section, several American TV stars and Hollywood actors mourned Van Der Beek’s demise with touching posts. Sarah Michelle Gellar took to the comments to write, “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.”Jennifer Garner also left a comment that read, “What a heartbreaking loss. So much love to you, Kimberly, and to your kids, as you navigate this tender time.”Patricia Arquette helped fans and friends raise awareness about the Go Fund Me Page created to help out the actor’s family amid their financial difficulties that arose amid the cancer treatment. She wrote, “Love you. James was one of a kind. The best. People can support on- go fund me look up Support for James Van Der Beek’s family to support through this time.”David Denman also left a post that read, “One of the kindest souls I’ve ever known. RIP brother.”
After ‘Dawson’s Creek’
Some of his projects after ‘Dawson’s Creek’ include co-creating and playing Wesley “Diplo” Pentz, a dull but likable music producer in the mockumentary satire on Viceland, ‘What Would Diplo Do?’ In 2019, he made it to the semifinals of ABC’s ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and played a balding, out-of-shape ex-boyfriend on ‘How I Met Your Mother.’Between 2003 and 2013, he made appearances in shows like ‘Criminal Minds’, ‘One Tree Hill’, and ‘How I Met Your Mother.’ He played himself with a crackpot intensity in the Krysten Ritter-led ABC drama ‘Don’t Trust the B— in Apartment 23’, and the short-lived spinoffs ‘CSI: Cyber’ and ‘Friends With Better Lives’.He’s also appeared in a number of movies, such as Kevin Smith’s 2001 comedy ‘Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back’ and its 2019 sequel, ‘Jay and Silent Bob Reboot’. He also was in the Bret Easton Ellis adaptation of ‘The Rules of Attraction’ in 2002 opposite Jessica Biel and Kate Bosworth.In 2025, he was unmasked as Griffin on ‘The Masked Singer’, after singing a cover of John Denver’s ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ and ‘I Had Some Help’ by Post Malone and Morgan Wallen.
