James Van Der Beek, the actor best known for his role as Dawson Leery in the hit 1990s teen drama “Dawson’s Creek”, has passed away at the age of 48. He died on February 11, 2026, after a prolonged battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer, which he was diagnosed with in August 2023.
Van Der Beek’s family shared the news of his passing on social media, in a statement that read: “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.”.
He is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children: Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, and Jeremiah.
The actor had been open about his cancer journey, using his platform to raise awareness about the importance of early screening and treatment. He had also been working on various projects, including a role in the upcoming Legally Blonde prequel series “Elle” and will be appearing on it posthumously. Other movies he had apprared in includes Varsity Blues (1998), Texas Rangers (2001), The Rules of Attraction (2002), Formosa Betrayed (2009), Labor Day (2013), and Bad Hair (2020).
