James Van Der Beek, Beloved ’90s TV Icon, Dead Following Cancer Battle
James Van Der Beek, the actor who became a household name as Dawson Leery in the hit WB series Dawson’s Creek, has died at 48. His wife, Kimberly Brook, confirmed his death Wednesday morning in an Instagram post, writing that he “met his final days with courage, faith, and grace.”
The actor had been battling colorectal cancer, a diagnosis he revealed publicly in November 2024. Though he initially told People magazine he was “feeling good” despite the diagnosis and taking steps to resolve it, Van Der Beek did not disclose specific treatment details at the time. In November 2025, he revealed he was auctioning career memorabilia to help cover medical expenses.
A Career Spanning Decades
Van Der Beek rose to prominence in the late 1990s as the titular character in Dawson’s Creek, the teen drama that ran from 1998 to 2003 and became a cultural phenomenon. His breakthrough on the show was followed by the 1999 coming-of-age film Varsity Blues, where he played the lead role of a high school quarterback.
Beyond these iconic roles, the actor accumulated more than 70 film and television credits throughout his career. He appeared in the horror-comedy Scary Movie, starred in a meta-version of himself in ABC’s Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23, and landed recurring roles on popular series including How I Met Your Mother, One Tree Hill, and Pose.
Advocacy and Resilience
Rather than withdrawing after his cancer diagnosis, Van Der Beek remained active and used his platform for public health advocacy. In December 2024, just weeks after revealing his condition, he starred in a two-hour special of “The Real Full Monty” to raise awareness for prostate, testicular, and colorectal cancer testing and research. He appeared on Good Morning America to discuss his health battle, becoming emotional when discussing his wife’s support throughout his treatment.
Van Der Beek was scheduled to participate in a Dawson’s Creek reunion with his castmates in September, but health reasons forced him to withdraw. He made a surprise virtual appearance at the event, introducing Lin-Manuel Miranda, who read lines in his place.
A Changed Perspective
In December 2025, Van Der Beek reflected on his diagnosis with surprising optimism, telling fans that cancer was “the best thing that had ever happened to him” because it inspired him to adopt a healthier lifestyle and deepen his spiritual faith.
Van Der Beek is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children together: daughters Olivia, Annabel, Emilia, and Gwendolyn, and sons Joshua and Jeremiah. He was previously married to actress Heather McComb from 2003 to 2009.
The family has requested privacy during this time of grief.
