Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek dead at 48
The actor, who played Dawson Leery in the 1990s teen drama, had battled colorectal cancer
James Van Der Beek, the star of 1990s teen drama Dawson’s Creek, died on Wednesday at the age of 48 after a battle with cancer, his wife announced on social media.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,” his wife, Kimberly, said.
Fans and fellow actors shared tributes on social media, recalling the influence he had on their lives and careers.
“While James’ legacy will always live on, this is a huge loss to not just your family but the world,” Sarah Michelle Gellar wrote on social media.
A GoFundMe was launched to raise US$500,000 to help support Van Der Beek’s widow and six children. It raised more than US$200,000 less than an hour after being launched.
In 2024, Van Der Beek announced a colorectal cancer diagnosis after it was discovered during a routine colonoscopy the year before.