James Van Der Beek, best known for his role in Dawson’s Creek, has died at age 48 after a battle with colorectal cancer. His family announced the news on Instagram, describing his passing as peaceful and marked by courage and grace. Van Der Beek leaves behind his wife and six children.
James David Van Der Beek passed away on February 11, 2026, at the age of 48. Diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2023, he made his condition public in 2024. His family shared a statement on Instagram: “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.”
Born in Connecticut, Van Der Beek began his career in Off-Broadway theater while in high school. His breakthrough came in 1998 with the role of aspiring filmmaker Dawson Leery on The WB series Dawson’s Creek, created by Kevin Williamson. The show, which ran for six seasons until 2003, co-starred Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, and Joshua Jackson. A scene featuring Van Der Beek’s emotional reaction to a breakup became a lasting internet meme.
Throughout his career, Van Der Beek appeared in films such as Varsity Blues (1999), for which he won an MTV Movie Award, and The Rules of Attraction (2002). On television, he guest-starred on shows including Ugly Betty (2007), How I Met Your Mother (2008-2012 episodes), One Tree Hill (2009 episodes), and Law & Order: SVU (2012). He played a parody version of himself in the ABC sitcom Don’t Trust the B— in Apartment 23 (2012-2013) alongside Krysten Ritter, who later paid tribute: “Beautiful human inside and out. Smart, funny, empathic, kind, talented and just pure magic. I’m so grateful for our friendship and so heartbroken.” Other recurring roles included Pose (2018) and voicing Boris Hauntley in the Disney Channel series Vampirina (2017-2021, 69 episodes). More recently, he appeared in two episodes of Prime Video’s Overcompensating (2025) and competed on The Masked Singer as Griffin.
At the time of his death, Van Der Beek had completed a recurring role as Dean Wilson, a mayoral candidate and school superintendent, in Prime Video’s Elle, a Legally Blonde prequel series set to premiere on July 1, 2026. He also starred in the upcoming film The Gates, scheduled for release on March 13, 2026, from Lionsgate Premiere. Sources indicate he was working on a memoir, though its completion status remains unknown. Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios issued a statement: “James Van Der Beek began his career as a beloved teen icon... We are deeply saddened by his passing and send our heartfelt condolences to his family, his friends, and his many fans.”
Van Der Beek is survived by his wife, Kimberly Brook, and their six children: daughters Olivia, Annabel, Emilia, and Gwendolyn; sons Joshua and Jeremiah. A GoFundMe has been established to assist with the family’s living expenses following his cancer treatments. Co-stars including Chad Michael Murray, Jennifer Garner, and Sarah Michelle Gellar remembered him as someone who “inspired us to be better in all ways.” In September 2025, the Dawson’s Creek cast reunited for a New York benefit in his honor, though he participated via video message due to his health.
