DAWSON’S Creek legend James Van Der Beek has died at the age of 48 after a brave battle with cancer.

James’ family announced his death on social media 14 months after he first revealed his diagnosis with stage 3 colorectal cancer.

9
James Van Der Beek has died at age 48Credit: Getty
 

9
James is survived by his wife and six childrenCredit: James Van Der Beek/Instagram
 

9
James became a household name for playing Dawson Leery alongside Michelle Williams in the hit show Dawson’s CreekCredit: Alamy
James’ wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, shared the heartbreaking update with fans on Instagram on Wednesday, February 11.

Alongside a headshot of the ’90s heartthrob, she wrote in the caption: “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.”

Dawson’s Creek’s James Van Der Beek opens up on ‘hardest’ year in cancer battle

Along with his wife, Kimberly, whom he married in 2010, James is survived by their six children; Olivia, 14, Joshua, 12, Annabel, 10, Emilia, 8, Gwen, 6, and Jeremiah, 3.

After announcing the tragedy, a GoFundMe was created to help the Van Der Beek family.

As of Wednesday afternoon, $208,000 has been raised to help Kimberly and their kids.

HEARTBREAKING END

The TV and film star spent the last few years of his life advocating for early health screenings to help spread awareness, and even mentioned the importance of being proactive in the final video he posted less than one month before his death.

Kelly Rowland stuns as she goes topless to celebrate her 45th birthday

In November 2025, he partnered with Propstore to allow fans to buy beloved memorabilia from his show to raise funds for his medical treatment one year after he was diagnosed with cancer.

James was hoping to rake in well into the five figures from items he sold at the exclusive auction, which included some of the pieces he wore as Dawson Leery in his hit series, Dawson’s Creek.

He was candid at the time about using 100% of the proceeds from the memorabilia sales to fund his expensive cancer treatments.

Speaking of his decision to auction off his belongings, the actor said at the time: “I’ve been storing these treasures for years, waiting for the right time to do something with them, and with all of the recent unexpected twists and turns life has presented recently, it’s clear that the time is now.

“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.”

9
Other notable roles include Varsity Blues and Scary MovieCredit: Hulton Archive – Getty
 

9
James in one of his final public appearances in September 2025Credit: instagram

MISSING THE REUNION

One of James’ final public appearances was over video at the Dawson’s Creek reunion in September last year.

James canceled his appearance in New York the night before, claiming he had suffered two stomach viruses.

“This is the evening I’d been looking forward to most since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together, way back in January,” he said.

“So you can imagine how gutted I was when two stomach viruses conspired to knock me out of commission and keep me grounded at the worst possible moment.

“Despite every effort, I won’t get to be there. I won’t get to stand on that stage and thank every soul in the theater for showing up for me, and against cancer, when I needed it most.

“I can’t believe I’m not there. I can’t believe I don’t get to see my cast mates, my beautiful cast in person.

“I want to stand on that stage and thank every single person in the theater for being here tonight.

” From the cast to the crew to everybody who’s doing anything and has been so generous, and especially every single last one of you. You are the best fans in the world.”

TRAGIC DIAGNOSIS

James first revealed his cancer diagnosis in an interview with People back in November 2024, saying: “I have colorectal cancer. 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.”

James told the outlet he started noticing changes to his bowel movements in the summer of 2023.

9
Katie Holmes starred alongside James in the hit teen drama Dawson’s CreekCredit: Alamy
 

9
James was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer at age 46Credit: Getty

He said, “I thought maybe I needed to stop coffee. Or maybe not put cream in the coffee. But when I cut that out and it didn’t improve, I thought, ‘All right, I better get this checked out.’

“I felt really good coming out of anesthesia, that I’d finally done it. Then the gastroenterologist said — in his most pleasant bedside manner — that it was cancer. I think I went into shock.”

James then said he immediately began treatments.

He added, “This has been a crash course in the mastery of mind, body, and spirit. I thought, ‘This is either going to take me out of the body, or it’s going to teach me how to truly live in it.’

“The trickiest thing is there are so many unknowns with cancer. You think, ‘How do I fix this? Is this healing me? Is this hurting me? Is this working? Is it coming back?’ As someone who likes answers, not knowing is one of the hardest things.

“I have a lot to live for.”

WHAT IS COLORECTAL CANCER?

Dawson’s Creek alum James Van Der Beek revealed his stage three cancer diagnosis with colorectal cancer in the fall of 2024.

According to MayoClinic, colorectal cancer is in the large intestine, which is the colon, or rectum.

The website explains, “It often begins as small noncancerous clumps of cells called polyps that form on the inside of the colon. Over time, some of these polyps can increase in size, undergo cellular changes and eventually transform into colon cancer.

“Colorectal cancer screenings can detect the polyps early and prevent the disease from developing or spreading. One screening method is colonoscopy, which can help identify these polyps and remove them.“

According to the website, it is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States.

In July 2025, James gave an update on his cancer journey.

He told Today in an interview, “I’m just on the journey. It’s a process. It’ll probably be a process for the rest of my life.”

SUCCESSFUL CAREER

James got his start in small television roles on Clarissa Explains It All in 1993, As The World Turns in 1995 and Aliens in the Family in 1996.

He then scored the breakout role of Dawson Leery on Dawson’s Creek from 1998 to 2003 alongside Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, and Michelle Williams.

After finding success with the teenage drama, he went on to star in Varsity Blues in 1999, Scary Movie in 2000, and The Rules of Attraction in 2002.

He then had appearances on TV shows Criminal Minds in 2007, Ugly Betty in 2007, One Tree Hill in 2008, and Law and Order in 2011 and 2012.

Other appearances include How I Met Your Mother, CSI, and Modern Family.

One of his final roles was on two episodes of Overcompensating in 2025.

RECOMMENDED STORIES

James has won two MTV Movie Awards, one Teen Choice Award and other honors.

In addition to being a legend in coming-of-age television and film, James is widely remembered as a loving family man and more recently, admired for his health advocacy work.

9
James left a heartbreaking final message to fans about New Year’s resolutions one month before his deathCredit: Instagram/vanderjames
 

9
James is pictured at an ABC event after making it to the semi-finals of DWTSCredit: PA
Source: https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/15238049/james-van-der-beek-dead-cancer-dawsons-creek/