Los Angeles, February 12, 2026 – The Europe Today: James Van Der Beek, best known for portraying Dawson Leary on the hit television drama Dawson’s Creek, has died at the age of 48, according to media reports.
Van Der Beek passed away on Wednesday following a battle with colorectal cancer. He was diagnosed with the illness in 2023 and made his condition public in 2024.
In a statement shared on his Instagram account, his family said: “Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. 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.”
Born in Connecticut, Van Der Beek began acting Off-Broadway while still in high school. After appearing in several theater productions and independent films, his breakthrough came in 1997 when he was cast in Dawson’s Creek. The series, created by Kevin Williamson, was inspired in part by Williamson’s own experiences growing up.
The popular drama aired for six seasons on The WB and co-starred Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, and Michelle Williams. Van Der Beek’s emotional on-screen moments — particularly his tearful breakup scene — became widely recognized and later evolved into a long-running internet meme.
Reflecting on his iconic role during a 20th anniversary reunion in 2019, Van Der Beek acknowledged mixed feelings about his character but praised the show’s authentic dialogue, calling it “kind of a dream to play.”
While starring in Dawson’s Creek, he expanded his career with roles in films including Varsity Blues — for which he won an MTV Movie Award — Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, and The Rules of Attraction.
Following the series’ conclusion, he returned to the stage in “Rain Dance” and made guest appearances on shows such as Criminal Minds and How I Met Your Mother. He also held recurring roles in One Tree Hill, CSI: Cyber, Pose, and voiced 69 episodes of the animated series Vampirina.
Van Der Beek further showcased his versatility with appearances on Dancing With the Stars and as “Griffin” on The Masked Singer in 2025. His most recent guest role was in the series Overcompensating.
He divorced actress Heather McComb in 2010. He is survived by his wife, Kimberly Brook, and their six children.
Van Der Beek’s passing marks the loss of a defining figure of late 1990s television, remembered for his vulnerability on screen and his enduring impact on popular culture.
