Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek dies aged 48

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James Van Der Beek, known for his role in Dawson’s Creek, has passed away at 48 after a fight with bowel cancer. His family announced the news today, saying he died peacefully.

James David Van Der Beek, the actor, passed away peacefully this morning, according to his wife of 16 years, Kimberly Van Der Beek, who shared the news on Instagram with a photo of him.

He faced his final moments with bravery, strong beliefs, and dignity. We will share more about his hopes, his kindness towards others, and how much he valued every moment when the time is right. Right now, we kindly request privacy as we mourn the loss of our beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend.

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James married Kimberly in 2010, after divorcing his first wife, actress Heather McComb. Together, James and Kimberly have six children.

I grew up watching Dawson’s Creek, and I always remember James Van Der Beek as Dawson Leery! The show was a huge deal on The WB, running from 1998 to 2003, and he was definitely the star. It was so cool seeing him alongside other rising stars like Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, and Michelle Williams.

The actor also played a comedic, fictionalized version of himself in the ABC series Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23, alongside Krysten Ritter.

Recently, James Van Der Beek played Matt Bromley in Ryan Murphy’s show Pose. He also joined the cast of the Legally Blonde prequel series, Elle, which will be his last role in a television show.

Fans and celebrities have been sharing heartfelt messages of support for Van Der Beek. Tyler Posey, who worked with him on The Real Full Monty, simply wrote, “Love you brother.”

Jenna Dewan, known for her role in Step Up and a contestant on the 2019 season of Dancing with the Stars with James Van Der Beek, shared a heartfelt message: “I’ll always cherish his kind and gentle spirit. Sending my love and prayers to Kim and the whole family.”

Melissa Joan Hart, who worked with James Vanderkamp on Clarissa Explains It All, shared her sadness upon hearing of his passing. She remembered him as a kind person, a devoted father, and a talented actor, fondly recalling him as her first on-screen kiss during a guest appearance on the show.

It’s incredibly sad to hear of his passing, especially after such a courageous battle. Sending my deepest sympathy and prayers to his wife, six children, and the entire family during this difficult time.

Chad Michael Murray, who starred with Van Der Beek on Dawson’s Creek, also shared his condolences on Kimberly’s post. He wrote that he was sending love and support to her family, describing James as a remarkable person. Murray expressed deep sympathy for their loss, adding that James’s work and kindness inspired everyone around him to strive for improvement. He concluded with a blessing for the family.

Last September, James Van Der Beek unfortunately missed the much-awaited Dawson’s Creek reunion because he was sick. The cast came together to raise money for the charity F Cancer, and Lin-Manuel Miranda filled in for Van Der Beek. A special video message from Steven Spielberg, who was a major inspiration throughout the show and Dawson’s favorite director, was also part of the event.

Although he couldn’t be there in person, Van Der Beek sent a heartfelt video message to the event, expressing how much he missed being able to hug his fellow cast members.

I loved how he talked about the whole love triangle with Joshua Jackson’s Pacey! He even made a funny comment about that famous ‘Crying Dawson’ meme – it’s still everywhere online, and it was great to hear him acknowledge it!

It might seem strange to compare them, but both Dawson and the Phantom of the Opera experienced the pain of the woman they loved choosing another man. Both were essentially told to step aside and let her be with the one she truly wanted. The only difference is that one of those stories became famous for a sad reaction image online.

For more information or support dealing with cancer and its treatment, please visit Macmillan Cancer Support or Stand Up to Cancer by clicking these links.

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2026-02-11 23:50