Tributes have poured in for James Van Der Beek following his death at the age of 48 after a public two-year battle with colorectal cancer.
Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek has died aged 48 after a public two-year battle with colorectal cancer.
@entertainmenttonight James Van Der Beek didn’t 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭 to express his gratitude for getting the opportunity to be on 'Dawson's Creek' in one of his first ET interviews #dawsonscreek #jamesvanderbeek ♬ original sound - Entertainment Tonight
The actor's loved ones confirmed his passing in an emotional Instagram post on Wednesday.
It read: "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."
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He is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children.
A GoFundMe page was launched on Wednesday to help support Van Der Beek's family with $500,000 as a starting ask. Kimberly wrote on her Insta Stories: 'My friends created this link to support me and our children during this time. With gratitude and a broken heart.'
He announced in November 2024 that he had cancer.
'There's no playbook for how announce these things, but I'd planned on talking about it at length with People magazine at some point soon… to raise awareness and tell my story on my own terms,' he wrote on social media.
@entertainmenttonight James Van Der Beek shared what he learned about being "worthy of love" amid his colorectal cancer battle during his last ET interview #jamesvanderbeek ♬ original sound - Entertainment Tonight
He earned a scholarship to New Jersey’s Drew University but left school early when he got Dawson’s Creek, the teen drama that would make him a household name as Dawson Leery.
His other notable film roles include Texas Rangers (2001), Rules Of Attraction (2002), The Plague (2006), Final Draft (2007), Labor Day (2013), Downsizing (2016) and Bad Hair (2020).
He also appeared on TV shows including One Tree Hill, Mercy, Law & Order: SVU, How I Met Your Mother, Friends With Better Lives, CSI: Cyber, Pose, Vampirina and Overcompensating.
In September, a Dawson’s Creek reunion event was organised in support of the actor and the charity F Cancer. The night was attended by former co-stars including Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson.
Van Der Beek had planned to attend but was too unwell after contracting two stomach viruses. His role on the night was taken by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator of Hamilton, who said his "whole heart" was with the family.
As news of his passing spread, friends and co-stars shared emotional tributes remembering not only his talent, but his devotion as a husband and father.
Lin-Manuel Miranda
"My whole heart is with his family today."
Busy Philipps
"My heart is deeply hurting for all of us today," she wrote, adding that she was "profoundly heartbroken" for his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their six children. "James Van Der Beek was one in a billion and he will be forever missed."
Kerr Smith
He said he was grateful to have been able to call him "a brother", adding: "I’ll miss him deeply. Rest easy."
Selma Blair
"James Van Der Beek … we started at the same time in this town, and I always just admired and appreciated you so much. And then even more so when I met your wife and saw your complete love for that growing family in a way that bowled me over with gratitude that you existed … And you always will through them. And your work. And your heart. You will be missed … I send all my love to your beautiful family. So much love."
Alfonso Ribeiro
"I’m so broken right now with the passing of my friend @vanderjames today. He was my true friend brother and life guide. I was with him through this horrible journey to beat cancer. His family and friends went on this roller coaster ride. The highs when it looked like he had it beat to the breaking lows of it coming back. I’ve learned so much from james. He and @vanderkimberly changed my life. I will forever be in debt for all they’ve given me and my family. He will live forever in my heart. I will always be there for their children. I will always hold my role as Gwen’s Goddie daddy as one of the most important roles of my life. I love you James and know I have a guardian angel watching over me. Being able to say goodbye this weekend will always live with me. RIP my brother. RIP."
Alyssa Milano
"There are people in this industry who are talented. Some who are charismatic. A few who are generous.
And then there were the rare ones— the truly kind and thoughtful.
James was the rare kind. He showed up for his people. He listened. He cared.
More than anything, he loved being a husband and a father. There are few who cherish that role more deeply than he did.
Just a unicorn of a man.
My heart aches for his family. But I know he will be a part of everything they do forevermore. Every flower. Every giggle. Everything. Always. That’s what his kind of love does."
Erin Fetherston
"Brother James,
You were loved by the whole world, but to us — you were Uncle James.
Thank you for your friendship. For always showing up. For being the one who would go the extra mile. When our dog died in the middle of the night, you were the one who came over with a shovel. When our babies were born, you and @vanderkimberly were the very first visitors — you didn’t just celebrate our milestones, you were part of them.
What an honor it was to have a seat at your table and to call you a best friend. The space you leave behind can never be filled, but we will do our best to shower your beautiful family with love and remember to keep dancing in your honor — because you always knew the importance of joy.
We love you. Always."
