Appreciation: On ‘Dawson’s Creek,’ James Van Der Beek taught millennials how to cry

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I was eleven years old when “Dawson’s Creek” first aired on January 20, 1998. I hadn’t experienced things like love triangles or house parties, but like many millennials, I faithfully recorded it every week on the WB using my VHS player.

My parents didn’t like the teen drama I was watching, so I cleverly disguised the VHS tapes as “The Brady Bunch” to hide them. Then, I’d sneak out of bed late at night to watch the show and follow the surprisingly smart conversations about growing up and teenage emotions.

I’m incredibly saddened to report that James Van Der Beek, best known for his role in “Dawson’s Creek,” has passed away at the age of 48. He bravely battled colorectal cancer, and is survived by his wife and their six children. It’s a huge loss, not just for fans who grew up with him, but for the entire industry, considering his decades of work in both film and television. He will be deeply missed.

Television

James Van Der Beek, best known for his role as Dawson Leery in the popular TV show ‘Dawson’s Creek’ alongside Katie Holmes, has passed away at the age of 48.

But for many millennials, he will always be Dawson Leery.

I spoke with actor James Van Der Beek last year while writing a profile of “Dawson’s Creek” creator Kevin Williamson for The Times. Even though Van Der Beek wasn’t feeling well at the time, he generously responded to my questions by email. He shared thoughtful and detailed insights about his experience on the show, and spoke highly of his fellow actors and the people he worked with.

During the audition for “Dawson’s Creek,” Van Der Beek noticed Joshua Jackson immediately. While most actors, including himself, were anxiously rehearsing their lines, Jackson had a confident, energetic presence – like he was prepared for a challenge. Van Der Beek thought to himself that if Jackson was cast as Pacey, the show would be fantastic.

Van Der Beek also praised Williamson’s approach as a showrunner, describing him as someone who felt like a friend excitedly making a movie. Williamson didn’t ‘pitch’ stories so much as share compelling, personal tales about characters he cared for, making it impossible not to become invested in them as well.

Millennial viewers did care. A lot.

“Dawson’s Creek” was a straightforward drama that followed the lives of four friends as they navigated growing up in a small seaside town. It quickly became hugely popular and really captured the spirit of the year 2000, becoming a major success for the WB network – the final episode alone was watched by over 7 million people. The show also launched the careers of its four main stars: Van Der Beek, Jackson, Katie Holmes, and Michelle Williams.

Television

The adults in Kevin Williamson’s new Netflix series are more complex and realistic than the characters from his earlier show, ‘Dawson’s Creek,’ offering a blend of glamour and hardship.

While Van Der Beek was known for his floppy hair and frequent flannel shirts, he wasn’t the one who became the show’s biggest star. That title went to Jackson, who played Pacey – Dawson’s likable best friend and the character Joey ultimately ended up with.

Dawson, playing a character much like creator Kevin Williamson himself – a teenage boy with big dreams of becoming a filmmaker – was the central figure of the show, and everything revolved around him.

Dawson could be annoying, moody, and focused on himself – typical teenage behavior, really. But thanks to Joshua Jackson’s sensitive acting, the show let audiences connect with difficult experiences like betrayal, loss, heartbreak, and the consequences of poor choices.

Dawson, for all its flaws, mirrored the often-complicated and messy experiences of millennials as they grew up, serving as a relatable, if sometimes warning, example.

Since the show finished in 2003, Dawson’s legacy has become mostly defined by a popular internet meme. This meme is a screenshot from season three showing actor Van Der Beek with a pained expression, appearing on the verge of tears as his character, Dawson, tells Joey that she should be with Pacey instead of him.

Van Der Beek later shared that his tears in that scene weren’t planned. He’d become so connected to his character’s feelings that the emotion came genuinely.

In an email last year, Van Der Beek explained that Williamson’s work always centers on characters he genuinely cares for, imperfections and everything. These characters feel real, acting consistently with their pasts and beliefs, and they’re also open and emotionally exposed.

Jonathan Van Der Beek also shared his personal struggles with cancer. He openly discussed his health and the initial symptoms with his fans. Last September, he joined a “Dawson’s Creek” reunion in New York City via video, and the event raised money for cancer awareness.

Unlike a character on “Dawson’s Creek,” where a sad musical score or a montage of happy memories would cushion the impact of their death, James Van Der Beek’s passing doesn’t have that. However, fans will likely create their own video tributes online.

Thanks to his work on “Dawson’s Creek,” a whole generation remembers a hopeful young man on a dock in Capeside who welcomed us into his complicated and heartfelt life.

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2026-02-12 05:01