Hollywood is mourning the loss of Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek, who died yesterday amid his battle with colorectal cancer. He was 48.
The star was diagnosed with bowel cancer in the latter half of 2023 and later publicly revealed the news in November 2024.
In a statement shared on Van Der Beek’s Instagram, his wife Kimberly confirmed his death, writing: “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.”
Van Der Beek starred in many hit shows and films in the late 1990s and early 2000s, including most famously Dawson’s Creek – a show which shaped late 90s TV, as the role of Dawson Leery defined a type of masculine character that was unafraid to express sincere emotions.
Tributes to the actor have poured in on social media. Underneath the post announcing his passing, Buffy the Vampire Slayer actress Sarah Michelle Gellar wrote: “I’m so sad for your beautiful family. While James legacy will always live on, this is a huge loss to not just your family but the world. Fuck Cancer.”
Actress Jenifer Garner added under the same post: “What a heartbreaking loss. So much love to you, Kimberly, and to your kids, as you navigate this tender time.”
Fellow Dawson’s Creek star Busy Philipps shared on Instagram: “My heart is deeply hurting for all of us today…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 added: “But I am profoundly heartbroken for his incredible wife Kimberly and their six magical children…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.”
“Sending love and light to your beautiful family,” wrote Chad Michael Murray, who starred alongside Van Der Beek on One Tree Hill. “James was a giant. We’re so so so sorry for what you’re going through. His words, art and humanity inspired all of us- he inspired us to be better in all ways. God bless you guys.”
Lin Manuel Miranda wrote on his Instagram Story: “My whole heart is with the @vanderkimberly @vanderjames family today.”
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Van Der Beek is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children, Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah.
Kimberly has asked fans to donate to a fundraiser for the family after revealing that her husband’s cancer treatment has taken a huge financial toll on the family.
Friends of the late actor set up the GoFundMe shortly after the news of Van Der Beek’s death. The fundraiser hit its initial target of goal of $500,000 within four hours and has now passed $1m.
