Dawson's Creek heartthrob James Van Der Beek passes away aged 48

James Van Der Beek, best known for playing the title character in the iconic 1990s teen drama Dawson's Creek, has died at the age of 48. He passed away peacefully on February 11, 2026, following a colorectal cancer diagnosis first revealed publicly in November 2024, though he had been privately managing the illness since 2023. His wife Kimberly shared the news via his official Instagram, stating he faced his final days "with courage, faith, and grace," requesting privacy for the family that includes their six children.

Van Der Beek rose to fame at 21 as Dawson Leery in Dawson's Creek, which ran from 1998 to 2003 and captured the angst of teenage life alongside co-stars Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams and Joshua Jackson. His film roles included the football drama Varsity Blues and later indie projects like Rules of Attraction, while he later appeared in TV shows such as CSI: Cyber and guest spots including a recent Prime Video comedy. In November 2025, he planned to auction Dawson's Creek memorabilia to fund treatment, and made a virtual appearance at a charity reunion shortly before his death.

Tributes poured in from Hollywood, with Jennifer Garner expressing heartbreak and Paul Walter Hauser sharing prayers for his family. Despite health struggles, Van Der Beek remained active, withdrawing from a live Dawson's Creek reunion due to illness but participating remotely to raise funds for cancer awareness. His legacy as a teen icon endures through the cultural touchstone of Dawson's Creek and his candid approach to personal and health challenges.