Beloved Actor James Van Der Beek Dies at 48

The entertainment world is mourning the loss of James Van Der Beek, who passed away at the age of 48. Best known for his defining role as Dawson Leery in the hit series Dawson's Creek, Van Der Beek's death was announced by his wife. The official social media accounts for Dawson's Creek, in partnership with Sony Pictures, shared a heartfelt tribute, remembering his "iconic portrayal" that "helped define a generation of television."

Van Der Beek's co-stars from Dawson's Creek have rallied around his family. Joshua Jackson revealed in April 2025 that the cast had supported Van Der Beek after his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis in November 2024. Despite his illness, Van Der Beek sent a pre-recorded video message to a charity event in New York City in September 2025, expressing his regret for his absence due to "two stomach viruses."

He had been quietly managing his cancer battle, diagnosed in August 2023. Van Der Beek had hoped to share his diagnosis on his own timeline but was prompted to reveal it in November 2024 due to an impending tabloid report. He described the diagnosis as a "shock" and explored various treatment options. In November 2025, he initiated an auction of his Hollywood memorabilia to raise funds for his treatment, seeing it as a way to connect with his supporters.