James Van Der Beek has died at the age of 48, his family have sadly announced. The Dawson’s Creek actor had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer on August 31, 2023 but chose not to go public with his diagnosis until November 2024.
A statement released by the American actor’s family on Wednesday said he had died “peacefully”. Announcing his death, James’ wife Kimberly said: “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 statement of his passing was published jointly on the Instagram accounts of the actor and his wife Kimberly. The couple had six children; Olivia, 14, Joshua, 12, Annabel, 10, Emilia, eight, Gwen, six, and Jeremiah, three.
James was best known for playing the titular character in popular US teen drama Dawson’s Creek. He played Dawson Leery in the hit show, which ran for six seasons from 1998 until 2003, and followed a group of friends as they navigated stages of adolescence together in a small Massachusetts suburb.
After capturing the imagination of American teenagers, the TV series aired on Channel 4 in the UK and helped to launch the careers of James, as well as his co-stars Katie Holmes and Michelle Williams. He also starred in the films Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back, The Big Bang and Labour Day.
Tributes have since poured in for the late star following the heartbreaking news. Actors including Sarah Michelle Gellar, David Boreanaz, and Rumer Willis paid tribute to James on Instagram.
Cruel Intentions star 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.” Bones star Boreanaz said: “Prayers are with the family. James was a straight up gentleman full of kindness, joy and love. I hold fond memories of conversations with him. Thank you brother, your light shines brighter.”
And Willis wrote: “My dear wonderful friends, I love you all. I am keeping you all in my heart. I’m so lucky to have had you in my life for so long. James set the bar as a husband and a father and big brother (to me). I am so grateful to have witnessed your love and respect and care for each other. Sending all the love and light to you all.”
American model Christie Brinkley also paid tribute on the post, writing: “His kindness radiated, his love for his family was palpable. it sparkled. Everybody loved him. My most heartfelt condolences go out to his beautiful family he adored.”
The Ranch actor Ashton Kutcher posted an image of James on X, and wrote: “Had the good fortune of knowing and growing with this guy. RIP.”
His Dawson’s Creek co-star Busy Philipps also took to Instagram to pay tribute, describing him as “one in a billion”. “My heart is deeply hurting for all of us today,” she wrote.
“Every person who knew James and loved him, anyone who loved his work or had the pleasure of meeting him, all of his dear friends and community that surrounded him as he battled this illness, especially his parents and brother and sister.
“But I am profoundly heartbroken for his incredible wife Kimberly and their six magical children. James Van Der Beek was one in a billion and he will be forever missed.”
James’ death was reported to the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office at 6.44am local time. No cause of death was given. When James bravely went public with his diagnosis, he said that he and his family had been dealing with it privately, adding that they had been “Taking steps to resolve it”.
In an interview with Business Insider, he previously explained that he noticed changes in his bowel movements, which is a known symptom of bowel cancer. Before having a screening test, James made the decision to stop drinking coffee to see whether this would help.
The test revealed that he had stage three of the condition, and it had spread to his nearby lymph nodes. He said his “lowest point” during his treatment was feeling as though he was losing parts of his identity. He said: “All these beautiful things that I love, and I used to define myself as – a father, a provider, a husband – all that got taken away, or at least paused.”
James added: “I had to sit there and say, ‘Well, what am I?’ And it was, ‘I’m still worthy of love.'” After his diagnosis, he made it his mission to help other people by raising awareness of screenings, explaining: “I’ve learned a lot, if I can save anyone from having to go through this, that’s magic.”
In November last year, he announced that he would be auctioning off personal items from Dawson’s Creek and Varsity Blues, in order to help with the costs associated with his ongoing treatment.
Fans were able to get their hands on the outfit he wore in the first episode of Dawson’s Creek, which was expected to sell for up to £3,000. They were also able to purchase the necklace Dawson gave to on-screen girlfriend Joey, for prom, which was estimated to go for around £40,000.
In September, a Dawson’s Creek reunion event was organised in support of him and the charity F Cancer. The night was attended by his former co-stars including Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson.