Hollywood is mourning the loss of Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek.
The actor’s wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, announced Wednesday that the actor died amid his battle with colorectal cancer. He was 48.
In a statement shared on Van Der Beek’s instagram, Kimberly confirmed his death, 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 father of six kids, Van Der Beek announced in November 2024 that he had “been privately dealing” with the cancer diagnosis since August 2023. The cancer was in Stage 3.
Starring in roles on both the big and small screen, Van Der Beek is most recognized for starring as Dawson Leery on The WB teen melodrama Dawson’s Creek, which ran for six seasons. The show premiered on the WB on Jan. 20, 1998, and was broadcast through May 14, 2003.
During two summer hiatuses from the hit series, Van Der Beek starred as the principled Texas high school quarterback Jonathan “Mox” Moxon in the Brian Robbins-helmed Varsity Blues (1999) and as the hedonistic Sean Bateman in the Bret Easton Ellis adaptation The Rules of Attraction (2002), written and directed by Roger Avary.
Other roles include recurring stints on One Tree Hill, How I Met Your Mother and Friends With Better Lives. He also starred in the NBC medical drama Mercy (the show lasted one season), Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23, the CBS’ spinoff CSI: Cyber; Viceland show What Would Diplo Do?, FX drama Pose in 2018; and voiced the co-owner of the Scare B&B on the 2017-21 Disney Jr. series Vampirina.
His film roles included Harvest (2001), Texas Rangers (2001), Standing Still (2005), Formosa Betrayed (2009), The Big Bang (2010), Backwards (2012), Jason Reitman’s Labor Day (2013), Alexander Payne’s Downsizing (2017) and Bad Hair (2020).
He competed on Dancing With the Stars in 2018 and The Masked Singer last year. He was announced in May 2025 to have a recurring role in Elle, a Legally Blonde prequel set up at Prime Video. The show, which got an early season two renewal last month, is set to premiere in July.
Following news of his death, a myriad of stars paid tribute to the actor.
In comments shared on his Instagram post announcing his death, Sarah Michelle Gellar wrote, “I’m so sad for your beautiful family. While James’ legacy will always live on, this is a huge loss to not just your family but the world. Fuck Cancer.”
“Sending love and light to your beautiful family,” Chad Michael Murray, who starred alongside Van Der Beek on One Tree Hill, wrote. “James was a giant. 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.”
Dancing With the Stars pro Emma Slater, who was partnered with Van Der Beek on Season 28, wrote, “I’m so devastated. He is and will always be family to me. Love you so much James. The man that you are, you can be proud of. So grateful that I got to be there to say goodbye to you.”
Paul Walter Hauser shared the GoFundMe set up by Van Der Beek’s family, writing, “Love you, James. I know you’re in Heaven being pampered with love. The Van Der Beeks will be in our daily prayers and we’ll be drumming up some money to support your beautiful family. Thanks for the body of work and for being one of the good guys.”
Jennifer Garner commented, “What a heartbreaking loss. So much love to you, Kimberly, and to your kids, as you navigate this tender time.”
“I will always and forever remember your sweet gentle soul. My love and prayers with Kim and the entire family,” wrote Jenna Dewan.
Katharine Foster wrote “This is just beyond devastating news. I’m so so sorry for your loss. God bless you all.
Lance Bass wrote, “We are sending your beautiful family so much love. Safe travels James. You made this world a better place.”
Read more tributes below. This post will be updated as more are shared.
Mike Barnes contributed to this report.