James Van Der Beek, star of Dawson’s Creek, dies aged 48
The actor was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2024. He is survived by his wife and six children.
Actor James Van Der Beek, best known for his role in popular 90s TV show Dawson's Creek, has died.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,” read a statement shared to Van Der Beek’s official Instagram page on Thursday (NZ time).
“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."
In 2024 Van Der Beek announced he had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
At the time, the actor told US media outlet People magazine that he had been working in film and television as he "navigates his care".
"And I have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family," he said. "There's a reason for optimism and I'm feeling good."
Van Der Beek rose to fame for his role as Dawson Leary in the teen drama series Dawson's Creek and is also known for his roles in the show Varsity Blues and CSI: Cyber.
The cast of hit teen drama, Dawson's Creek, which aired from 1998 to 2003.
Photo12 via AFP
Dawson's Creek co-star Busy Phillips said her heart was hurting deeply for all.
"Every person who knew James and loved him, anyone who loved his work or had the pleasure of meeting him, all of his dear friends and community that surrounded him as he battled this illness, especially his parents and brother and sister," she wrote on Instagram.
Phillips went on to say: "James Van Der Beek was one in a billion and he will be forever missed and I don’t know what else to say. I am just so so sad. He was my friend and I loved him and I’m so grateful for our friendship all these years."
Van Der Beek made a surprise virtual appearance at a Dawson's Creek reunion charity event in September last year, having been forced to pull out of the live event due to a stomach virus.
“I can’t believe I’m not there. I can’t believe I don’t get to see my cast mates, my beautiful cast in person," he said in the emotional video.
"I wanted to stand on that stage and thank every single person in this theatre for being here tonight.”
He is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children, Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah.
James Van Der Beek, star of Dawson's Creek, has died. The news was shared in an Instagram post.
What is colorectal cancer?
Bowel cancer – also known as colorectal or colon cancer, affects the colon and rectum.
Bowel cancer develops when there are a series of mutations to the cells that line the bowel, which results in the uncontrolled growth of those cells, according to Bowel Cancer New Zealand.
Initially, these cells develop into polyps which are growths that can be flat or grow on stalks from the bowel wall. These growths are more common as people get older. Although most polyps never develop into bowel cancer, some can if left undetected.
New Zealand has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world. More than 3000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year and over 1200 will die from the disease,
Ninety percent of bowel cancers are curable if caught early.
