James Van Der Beek enjoyed an illustrious Hollywood career before his life was cruelly cut short aged 48 following a two-year battle with colon cancer.

The Dawson’s Creek actor, who died peacefully on Tuesday morning, was once one of the biggest teen heartthrobs in the industry. 

Here, Daily Mail takes a look at the late star’s glistening television career from the teen drama that launched him into a household name to Don’t Trust The B**** in Apartment 23 and his last appearances before his death.

Van Der Beek shot to fame in the 90s as Dawson’s Creek lead Dawson Leery when he was 20 years old.

The drama ran for six seasons on the WB Network between 1998 and 2003 and also launched the careers of Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, and Joshua Jackson.

On the show, Katie portrayed Dawson’s childhood love, Joey Potter, while Joshua played their other friend and Joey’s true love, Pacey Witter. Michelle completed the core group as the rebellious Jen Lindley.

In his early days, Van Der Beek wasn’t prepared for the level of fame that came with playing the lead role in the high school drama.

‘Getting recognized is something that took me a long time… I had a big learning curve on it,’ he told People in 2024.

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James Van Der Beek was a treasured television star with multiple credits under his belt

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The actor shot to fame aged 20 thanks to his lead role in the teen drama Dawson’s Creek

‘It was a different interaction back then. Now, it’s a lot more grown-up, and back then, I was so tortured about it because I loved being an observer and a fly on the wall and having random conversations with people.

‘I remember being so broken up about the fact that those random conversations or random acts of kindness were now taken away because there was this thing called “celebrity” in between me and somebody else, and it became the center of attention.’

Despite having to overcome dealing with global fame, Van Der Beek ultimately treasured his time on Dawson’s Creek.

In recent years too, he very much delighted in reconnecting with his former cast mates, and in August 2025, it was announced that he and the cast would be reuniting for a live reading of the show’s pilot episode.

The celebration was a one-night-only charity event to raise money for the nonprofit F Cancer and for Van Der Beek amid his cancer journey.

Days before the event was due to take place, however, Van Der Beek was devastated to announce that he had to pull out of the appearance due to illness.

Expressing his disappointment in a pre-recorded video which played on the night, he told fans: ‘I have been looking forward to this night for months and months ever since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together.

‘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.

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Van Der Beek starred alongside Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, and Michelle Williams in the beloved series, which ran for six seasons

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Hollywood actress Katie famously played Van Der Beek’s on-screen love interest, Joey

‘And just 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.

‘Thank you for coming. It’s just absolutely humbling just how much you did for this night, and I just want to say thank you.

‘Thank you to every single person here.’

Van Der Beek continued to enjoy a career on the small screen following the end of Dawson’s Creek and made appearances in the likes of Criminal Minds, Ugly Betty, How I Met Your Mother, One Tree Hill, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and others.

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Dawson’s Creek aired on the WB Network between 1998 and 2003

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Van Der Beek went on to play a fictionalized version of himself in Don’t Trust The B**** in Apartment 23

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The sitcom also starred Eric Andre as Mark, Michael Blaiklock as Eli, Dreama Walker as June, and Krysten Ritter as Chloe

He famously played a fictionalized version of himself in the ABC sitcom Don’t Trust The B**** in Apartment 23, alongside lead star Krysten Ritter, Dreama Walker, Liza Lapira, Michael Blaiklock, and Eric Andre.

The series ran for two seasons between 2012 and 2014, and James loved poking fun at his own expense.

‘It was a really fun character to play because he was completely without shame,’ he told the Hollywood Reporter in 2014.

‘It’s fun to mock the business, and it’s fun to keep your own ego in check, too. You feel very safe when you’re constantly destroying all those little things you keep precious as an actor. It’s a very liberating feeling.’

Van Der Beek also credited his time on the sitcom as being a lesson in comedy acting.

‘I learned a lot about grounding comedy and balance as well as how to get laughs without the audience feeling sorry for you,’ he added.

‘We wanted things to blow up in this guy’s face, but the counterbalance to that was he had to be really good at what he does instantly, in a savant-ish kind of way, because otherwise, it’s sad.

‘We could have him be completely clueless and totally narcissistic, but then also very sincere in everything that he says, so it was about finding that formula that worked.’

In his later years, Van Der Beek turned his hand to reality television and competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2019 and The Masked Singer in 2025.

For Dancing with the Stars, Van Der Beek was paired with professional dancer Emma Slater.

Together, they were the first couple of season 28 to achieve the first perfect score thanks to their contemporary dance performance to Don’t Stop Believin’ by Ray Chew.

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Van Der Beek competed in the 28th season of Dancing with the Stars with Emma Slater

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He was also unveiled as the Griffin on The Masked Singer in March 2025

They were eventually eliminated during the semi-finals in week 10, the same week he revealed that his wife Kimberly had suffered a miscarriage.

After his final performance, Van Der Beek paid tribute to his wife in a sweet message.

‘Kimberly, I love you,’ he said. ‘Thank you for pushing me out on that dance floor. Thank you for everything you do. I don’t know how you do it.’

In March, Van Der Beek was unveiled as Griffin on The Masked Singer.

After his unmasking, his kids all ran onto the stage to surprise him along with his wife.

‘This is the best,’ he exclaimed at the time. ‘It’s like I’m in a dream right now.’ He also thanked them for ‘telling me to be on the show.’

More recently, in May, Van Der Beek was cast in the Legally Blonde television show prequel, Elle as the city’s new mayoral candidate and current school district superintendent, Dean Wilson.

Celebrating the news on Instagram at the time, he wrote: ‘So, this is exciting… I’m going back to work for a bit.

‘Super excited to join this awesome cast in such a fun project. Almost as excited as my wife and girls are that I’m doing this.’

Filming for Elle began in April with lead stars Lexi Minetree, June Diane Raphael, Tom Everett Scott, Gabrielle Policano, Jacob Moskovitz, Chandler Kinney and Zac Looker.

Van Der Beek’s death was announced on his official Instagram page on Tuesday.

‘His final days with courage, faith, and grace,’ his loved ones said in the upload.

‘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.’

Van Der Beek is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children.