Actor James Van Der Beek, best known for his starring role in US teen drama Dawson's Creek, has died aged 48 after being diagnosed with bowel cancer.
Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning, his family said in a statement posted to his social media accounts. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace.
The star was diagnosed with the disease in the latter half of 2023 but only revealed the news in November 2024.
The father of six starred in multiple popular shows and films in the late 1990s and early 2000s, including the cult classic Dawson's Creek and Varsity Blues.
In an interview with Business Insider, he revealed he started experiencing changes in his bowel movements, a common symptom of bowel cancer. He stopped drinking coffee to see whether that would help before having a screening test.
That revealed he had stage three of the disease, which meant it had spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Van Der Beek said his lowest point in treatment was feeling like he was losing core parts of his identity, stating, 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.
He continued working through his diagnosis, including a guest appearance in Prime Video's Overcompensating earlier this year. Following his diagnosis, he advocated for cancer screening in hopes that others could avoid his experience.
Condolences have poured in on social media, with co-stars and fans expressing their grief. Busy Philipps, a co-star, shared a heartfelt tribute, noting the impact of Van Der Beek's loss on his community, while actor Sarah Michelle Gellar expressed sorrow for his family.
SAG-AFTRA honored Van Der Beek for his heartfelt performances throughout his career, highlighting his sincerity and depth as an actor.
