James Van Der Beek, widely recognized for his role in the teenage drama “Dawson’s Creek” and films like “Varsity Blues,” has passed away at the age of 48.
“Today, we bid farewell to our beloved James David Van Der Beek, who left us peacefully this morning,” a message posted on his Instagram account shared. “He faced his last days with courage, faith, and grace. We will speak more about his wishes, his love for humanity, and the preciousness of time in the days to come. For now, we ask for privacy as we mourn our cherished husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”
Back in November 2024, Van Der Beek disclosed on Instagram that he had been diagnosed with cancer. Despite this, he expressed that he was “in a good place and feeling strong.”
Spanning over three decades, Van Der Beek’s career took off with his role as Dawson Leery on the WB show “Dawson’s Creek” and continued into various television, film, and voice acting projects.
He portrayed Dawson for six seasons on “Dawson’s Creek,” a series that explored the lives of four teenagers as they navigated the trials of adolescence and young love.
The close-knit cast of “Dawson’s Creek” formed enduring bonds, reuniting in New York last September for a charity event intended to support Van Der Beek in his battle with colorectal cancer. Although he had to cancel his attendance at the last minute due to illness, he managed to connect with fans through a prerecorded message.
“You’re the best fans in the world,” Van Der Beek said in that message.
Van Der Beek made his television debut on an episode of the Melissa Joan Hart Nickelodeon series “Clarissa Explains It All,” delivering a line that hinted at his future on-screen presence: “No girl ever went through so much trouble just to impress me.”
Over the years, Van Der Beek built a home on television across a wide range of genres. He appeared on the daytime drama “As the World Turns,” and in the adult years following “Dawson’s Creek,” he made a few appearances on “One Tree Hill,” played a doctor on the medical drama “Mercy,” and portrayed a heightened version of himself on the sitcom “Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23.”
In one memorable exchange from that series, his character quipped, “I’m a celebrity.”
His later television work included starring roles on “CSI: Cyber,” guest star on “Pose,” and be the voice of Boris Hauntley on the animated Disney Junior series “Vampirina.” Van Der Beek also competed on “Dancing with the Stars” in 2019, advancing to the semifinals.
In addition to his television success, Van Der Beek established a film career. He is perhaps best known on the big screen for the high school football drama “Varsity Blues.”
In an interview with KABC days before the film’s release, Van Der Beek reflected on the physical demands of the role.
“We all got injured a little bit,” he said. “I mean, we all took hits. It was great. And I say that with a big smile on my face because, you know, we all felt like real players.”
His film credits also include the western “Texas Rangers” and the dark comedy “The Rules of Attraction.”
Van Der Beek was married twice. He’s survived by his wife, film producer Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their six children.
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