Actor James Van Der Beek, known for his role on the hit WB show “Dawson’s Creek,” died Wednesday, his wife announced on Instagram.
He was 48 and had been battling colorectal cancer.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” his wife and the mother of his six children, Kimberly Van Der Beek, posted on Instagram.
“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.”
The location of his passing was not revealed.
Van Der Beek, a native of Connecticut, was born in 1977, the oldest of three children.
He was best known for playing Dawson Leery on the WB teen drama “Dawson’s Creek,” which ran from 1998 to 2003.
He also appeared in the ABC sitcom “Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23,” which ran from 2012-13, playing a fictionalized version of himself; and appeared in “CSI: Cyber” as an FBI agent and on the FX drama “Pose” in its first season in 2018.
Van Der Beek’s film credits include “Varsity Blues” in 1999 and “Texas Rangers” in 2001. His last of 71 acting credits listed on IMDB was in the 2025 film “Sideline 2: Intercepted.”
He first announced his cancer diagnosis in November 2024 to People magazine, saying, “I have colorectal cancer. I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family.”
Survivors include his wife and six children — Emilia, Annabel Leah, Joshua, Gwendolyn, Jeremiah and Olivia.