James Van Der Beek Passes Away, Dawson’s Creek Star Was 48
James Van Der Beek has passed away. The Dawson’s Creek star was 48 years old.
James Van Der Beek was best known for playing Dawson Leery in The WB’s Dawson’s Creek, a show created by Kevin Williamson that premiered in 1998 and ran for six seasons up until the finale aired in 2003. He also notably played himself in the Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23 show that aired on ABC in 2012.
James Van Der Beek’s Instagram account officially announced that the beloved actor passed away earlier this morning, on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
The post reads, “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.”
According to Variety, Van Der Beek was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2023. He then made the diagnosis public in 2024.
Van Der Beek got his start acting in Off-Broadway productions while he was still in high school. He appeared in films such as 1995’s Angus, 1996’s I Love You, I Love You Not, and some other TV shows before the premiere of Dawson’s Creek.
After Dawson’s Creek officially debuted, Van Der Beek went on to star in movies such as 1999’s Variety Blues, 2000’s Scary Movie, 2001’s Texas Rangers, 2006’s The Plague, 2013’s Labor Day, 2017’s Downsizing, and 2020’s Bad Hair, among others. He voiced the character Pazu in the English dub of 2003’s Castle in the Sky, while he also played himself in both 2001’s Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back and 2019’s Jay and Silent Bob Reboot.
His work in television further includes titles such as How I Met Your Mother, One Tree Hill, Mercy, Friends with Better Lives, CSI: Cyber, Vampirina, and more.
ComingSoon sends condolences to Van Der Beek’s friends and family at this time.
Source: Comingsoon.net