For a generation of viewers who grew up in the late 1990s, Wednesday brought difficult news. James Van Der Beek, widely recognized for his breakout role on “Dawson’s Creek” and his performance in the football drama “Varsity Blues,” has died at the age of 48.
“He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,” his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, said in a post on Instagram. “There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come.”
In early November 2024, Van Der Beek publicly revealed that he had been diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer. In the months that followed, he documented portions of his cancer journey on Instagram, often expressing gratitude for the unwavering support of his wife and their six children.
Born March 8, 1977, in Cheshire, Connecticut, Van Der Beek was the eldest of three children. He discovered an interest in acting while still in middle school and made his professional debut at 16, appearing in a 1993 off-Broadway production in New York City. Throughout high school, and later while attending Drew University in New Jersey, he continued to perform in both amateur and professional productions.
In 1998, while a student at Drew, Van Der Beek auditioned for the lead role of Dawson Leery in The WB’s new teen drama, “Dawson’s Creek.” He ultimately left the university to take on the part full time, starring alongside future standouts Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, and Joshua Jackson. The series ran for six seasons and went on to become a defining show of the teen drama genre.
Over the course of his career, Van Der Beek made numerous television appearances beyond his breakout role. He guest-starred on series including “Criminal Minds,” “Ugly Betty,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “One Tree Hill,” “Medium,” and “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.” In 2019, he also competed on Season 28 of “Dancing with the Stars.”
His film résumé spanned multiple genres. Credits included the western “Texas Rangers,” the dark comedy “The Rules of Attraction,” the political thriller “Formosa Betrayed,” and the 2013 drama “Labor Day,” in which he appeared alongside Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin. He later returned to comedy with a role in “Jay and Silent Bob Reboot.”
Following his death, Kimberly shared a link on social media to a GoFundMe campaign, explaining that her husband’s prolonged illness had placed the family under significant “financial strain” and asking for support during the difficult period ahead.
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