James Van Der Beek, who became a household name in the 1990s for his roles in Dawson’s Creek and Varsity Blues, has died at the age of 48.
The actor revealed he was battling colorectal cancer in late 2024. TMZ was the first to report news of Van Der Beek’s death.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” his wife Kimberly shared in a statement to social media. “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.
Van Der Beek’s most notable role was as Dawson Leery on the titular WB sitcom from 1998 to 2003. Around the same time, he also took on what would become another of his most beloved roles, the rebellious QB Jonathan “Mox” Moxon in 1999’s Varsity Blues. Both roles firmly ensconced Van Der Beek in the hearts and minds of an entire generation, defining the sensitive but fiery archetype of the ’90s/early 2000s leading man.
Following the end of Dawson’s Creek, Van Der Beek turned his attention more towards film. The run through the early 2010s resulted in movies like 2002’s The Rules of Attraction (where he played Sean Bateman, brother of murderous Wall Street scum Patrick Bateman), 2003’s Castle in the Sky, and 2006’s The Plague. He also played a fictionalized version of himself in Kevin Smith’s 2001 movie Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.
And that wasn’t the only time Van Der Beek played himself. On TV, he was cast as a hilarious, fictionalized version of himself in Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23 (2012 to 2013). He made smaller appearances on shows like Franklin & Bash, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and SVU (as different characters), How I Met Your Mother, and One Tree Hill.
He later was cast as rugged field agent Elijah Mundo in CSI: Cyber from 2015 to 2016. Also in 2015, he played the role of Red Ranger Rocky DeSanto in and co-wrote the internet-hyped Power/Rangers fan film produced by Adi Shankar. After memorable parts in Modern Family, Overcompensating, and the British series Carters Get Rich, Van Der Beek’s last major TV gig came in 2018’s Pose, where he played kingpin Matt Bromley. More recently, he appeared on Drop the Mic in 2017, Dancing with the Stars in 2019, and The Masked Singer (where he was revealed as The Griffin) in 2025.
While perhaps not as beloved as Dawson’s Creek or Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23, Van Der Beek was also the writer, creator, and showrunner for 2017’s What Would Diplo Do?, which was among the first shows featured on the Viceland network. He earned rave reviews for his fictionalized, markedly duller version of the famed DJ/producer.
One of Van Der Beek’s final public appearances was during a late September 2025 charity event for surrounding the Dawson’s Creek reunion. He’d originally intended to show up live alongside his cast mates, but instead made a brief video statement discussing the show and its uptick in attention.
Van Der Beek received his cancer diagnosis in August 2023, but kept it private until November 2024. A month later, he announced an auction of Dawson’s Creek and Varsity Blues memorabilia to help offset his medical costs, eventually raising more than $47,000. Actor Paul Walter Hauser, who didn’t know Van Der Beek directly, recently announced a Cameo-based fund raising effort to raise $20,000 for his fellow actor. “I am an actor and father of 3 children, and I want them inheriting my trinkets/wardrobe/memorabilia someday,” Hauser wrote on Instagram. “I wouldn’t want to auction off a Stingray shirt or Marvel script to make ends meet for treatment.”
Van Der Beek’s wife, Kimberly Brook, shared a link to a GoFundMe page set up by her friends following her husband’s passing. Noting the financial strain of Van Der Beek’s health battle “left the family out of funds,” the fundraiser page notes, “Your generosity will help cover essential living expenses, pay bills, and support the children’s education. Every donation, no matter the size, will help Kimberly and her family find hope and security as they rebuild their lives.” As of this writing, the fundraiser has raised $232,259 of its $350,000 goal.
Van Der Beek was born on March 8th, 1977 in Cheshire, Connecticut, and started acting in middle school with a role as Reuben in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. From there, he made a number of appearances off-Broadway as well as in several indie flicks (including 1996’s I Love You, I Love You Not), all leading up to his big break with Dawson’s Creek. He was married to actress Heather McComb from 2003 to 2010, and later married Kimberly Brook in 2010. He and Brook shared six children.
