James Van Der Beek, star of “Dawson’s Creek” and “Varsity Blues,” has died at age 48, according to his publicist and a post from his wife on social media.
Van Der Beek announced in November 2024 that he had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. His cause of death was not shared.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” his wife Kimberly wrote on Instagram. “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.”
Van Der Beek’s publicist Whitney Tancred confirmed his death to CBS News.
Van Der Beek told People magazine in 2024 that he was “feeling good” despite the diagnosis. He did not provide other details of the disease and said he was “taking steps to resolve it,” but did not specify what treatment he received. In November 2025, he said he was auctioning items from his career to help pay for treatment.
Van Der Beek rose to fame as the titular Dawson Leery on “Dawson’s Creek,” which ran from 1998 to 2003. In 1999, he landed the lead in the film “Varsity Blues.” He continued to appear regularly in movies and television, including playing a fictionalized version of himself in “Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23” in 2012.
Van Der Beek was married to actress Heather McComb from 2003 to 2009. In 2010, he married business consultant Kimberly Brook. They share six children. Van Der Beek said his wife suffered multiple miscarriages.
Colorectal cancer has become a leading cause of cancer-related deaths for Americans under the age of 50, and cases have been rising in that age group in recent years. According to the American Cancer Society, symptoms may include blood in the stool, changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, bloated stomach, unexplained weight loss, vomiting and fatigue.
“Dawson’s Creek” co-stars, friends react to Van Der Beek’s death
“Dawson’s Creek” co-star Busy Philipps called Van Der Beek “one in a billion” and said he “will be forever missed.”
“I am just so so sad. He was my friend and i loved him and I’m so grateful for our friendship all these years,” Philipps said in an Instagram post.
Another “Dawson’s Creek” co-star, Chad Michael Murray, said on social media that Van Der Beek “inspired all of us.”
“Sending love and light to your beautiful family. James was a giant,” Murray said in an Instagram post. “We’re so so so sorry for what you’re going through. His words, art and humanity inspired all of us- he inspired us to be better in all ways. God bless you guys.”
Retired wrestler Stacy Keibler said in a social media post that she spent the past few days with Van Der Beek, saying she has “never been so present in my life.” In the post, Van Der Beek was pictured sitting in a wheelchair next to Keibler, looking at the sunset.
“When you know time is sacred, you don’t waste a single breath,” Keibler wrote on Instagram. “You don’t rush. You don’t scroll. You don’t worry about tomorrow. You sit. You listen. You hold hands. You watch the sky change colors and you let it change you too.”
Actor and “Dancing with the Stars” host Alfonso Ribeiro shared on social media that he was “broken” over the death and called Van Der Beek a “true friend brother and life guide.”
“I was with him through this horrible journey to beat cancer,” Ribeiro said on Instagram. “His family and friends went on this roller coaster ride. The highs when it looked like he had it beat to the breaking lows of it coming back. I’ve learned so much from james. He and [Kimberly] changed my life. I will forever be in debt for all they’ve given me and my family.”
As of 8 a.m. EST Thursday, almost $1.3 million had been pledged to Van Der Beek’s family in an online fundraiser.
