James Van Der Beek Dies at 48 After Private Battle With Colorectal Cancer [WATCH]

Actor James Van Der Beek, best known for his role on “Dawson’s Creek,” has died following a battle with colorectal cancer. He was 48.

“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, shared Wednesday in a joint statement posted on Instagram, as Page Six reported.

“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.”

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Van Der Beek had been privately battling stage 3 colorectal cancer since August 2023. In November 2024, he publicly disclosed his diagnosis in an interview with People magazine after learning “a tabloid was going to run with the news.”

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“I’ve been dealing with this privately until now, getting treatment and dialing in my overall health with greater focus than ever before,” Van Der Beek said in a statement to the magazine at the time.

“I’m in a good place and feeling strong. It’s been quite the initiation, and I’ll tell you more when I’m ready.”

Colorectal cancer, also referred to as colon cancer or rectal cancer depending on its point of origin, carries an overall five-year survival rate of 64 percent, though outcomes vary depending on stage, according to medical experts.

After revealing his diagnosis, Van Der Beek continued to make public appearances. He attended the red carpet premiere of Tubi’s “Sidelined: The QB And Me” shortly after sharing news of his illness.

In the months that followed, he acknowledged that treatment had created financial strain for his family and began selling autographed “Varsity Blues” merchandise to help cover medical costs.

Throughout his health battle, he leaned on his wife, Kimberly, with whom he shared six children: Olivia, 14; Joshua, 13; Annabel, 11; Emilia, 8; Gwendolyn, 6; and Jeremiah, 3.

In March, on his 48th birthday, Van Der Beek shared that he “could no longer be the husband that was helpful to [his] wife” and “could no longer be a father, who could pick up his kids and put them and be there for them.”

Ok. I was really caught off guard here. I did not expect my visceral reaction to this message from James Vanderbeek.

Do yourself a favor and listen. Just listen.

RIP James, God speed

pic.twitter.com/FK7zw4CbaE

— Spitfire (@RealSpitfire) February 11, 2026

A few months later, he withdrew from a scheduled “Dawson’s Creek” reunion event due to dealing with two stomach viruses amid his cancer treatment. He later made a virtual appearance during the reunion in New York City.

“I can’t believe I’m not there,” he told attendees. “I can’t believe I don’t get to see my … beautiful cast in person.”

Van Der Beek rose to national prominence in the late 1990s, portraying Dawson Leery, the central character on “Dawson’s Creek,” alongside Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, Michelle Williams, and Busy Philipps.

Following the success of the series, he appeared in films including “Varsity Blues” and “The Rules of Attraction” and went on to work in more than 60 television and film projects over the course of his career.

He is survived by his wife and six children.

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