James Van Der Beek, the American actor known for his roles in ’90s TV drama Dawson’s Creek and movie Varsity Blues, died on Wednesday after a battle with Stage 3 colorectal cancer. He was 48.
His family announced his death in an Instagram post, writing, “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,” the statement continued.
Van Der Beek that he was being treated for colorectal cancer.
He recently made a surprise video appearance in September at a Dawson’s Creek reunion charity event in New York City after previously dropping out due to illness.
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The late actor starred in Varsity Blues and on television in CSI: Cyber as FBI special agent Elijah Mundo, but was best known for his role as the title character Dawson Leery in Dawson’s Creek, which ran from 1998 to 2003.
“It’s tough to compete with something that was the cultural phenomenon that Dawson’s Creek was,” he told Vulture in 2013. “It ran for so long. That’s a lot of hours playing one character in front of people. So it’s natural that they associate you with that.”
While still on Dawson’s Creek, Van Der Beek hosted Saturday Night Live — the musical guest was Everlast — and landed a plum role in Varsity Blues, playing a second-string high school quarterback who leaps into the breach when the star suffers an injury.
The actor most recently appeared in comedy TV series Overcompensating and is set to star in Elle, a Legally Blonde prequel series premiering in July.
Born and raised in Cheshire, Conn., Van Der Beek started acting at 13 after suffering a concussion playing football that prevented him from playing for a year on doctor’s orders.
During this time, he landed the role of Danny Zuko in his school production of Grease.
He stuck with theatre and earned a scholarship to Drew University in New Jersey, but left school early to star in Dawson’s Creek. In 2024, he returned to campus to accept an honorary degree for his “selfless service and exemplary commitment to the mission of Drew,” the university said.
He is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and six children: Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah.
— With files from The Associated Press