The entertainment world mourns the loss of James Van Der Beek, who passed away peacefully at age 48 after a two-year struggle with colon cancer. The actor, best known for his role as Dawson Leery in the iconic teen drama Dawson's Creek, leaves behind a legacy of memorable performances across television.
Rise to Fame with Dawson's Creek
Van Der Beek shot to stardom in the late 1990s when he landed the lead role in Dawson's Creek at just 20 years old. The series, which aired on the WB Network from 1998 to 2003, became a cultural phenomenon and launched the careers of several young actors, including Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, and Joshua Jackson.
On the show, Holmes portrayed Joey Potter, Dawson's childhood sweetheart, while Jackson played Pacey Witter, Joey's eventual true love. Williams rounded out the core group as the rebellious Jen Lindley. The ensemble cast helped define a generation of television viewers.
Navigating Sudden Celebrity
In a 2024 interview with People, Van Der Beek reflected on the challenges of instant fame. "Getting recognized is something that took me a long time... I had a big learning curve on it," he confessed. "I remember being so broken up about the fact that those random conversations or random acts of kindness were now taken away because there was this thing called 'celebrity' in between me and somebody else."
Despite these early struggles, the actor ultimately cherished his time on the series and maintained strong bonds with his former castmates. In August 2025, plans were announced for a cast reunion featuring a live reading of the pilot episode to benefit the nonprofit F Cancer and support Van Der Beek during his health battle.
Post-Dawson's Creek Career
Following the conclusion of Dawson's Creek, Van Der Beek continued to build an impressive television resume. He made guest appearances on numerous popular shows including Criminal Minds, Ugly Betty, How I Met Your Mother, One Tree Hill, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent.
Don't Trust The B**** in Apartment 23
One of his most notable post-Dawson's roles came in the ABC sitcom Don't Trust The B**** in Apartment 23, where he played a fictionalized, exaggerated version of himself alongside Krysten Ritter, Dreama Walker, and Eric Andre. The series ran for two seasons from 2012 to 2014.
Van Der Beek told the Hollywood Reporter in 2014 about the role: "It was a really fun character to play because he was completely without shame. It's fun to mock the business, and it's fun to keep your own ego in check, too." He credited the show with teaching him valuable lessons about comedy timing and performance.
Reality Television Ventures
In his later years, Van Der Beek expanded into reality competition programming. He participated in the 28th season of Dancing with the Stars in 2019, partnered with professional dancer Emma Slater. The duo achieved the season's first perfect score for their contemporary dance to "Don't Stop Believin'."
During his time on the show, Van Der Beek experienced both professional success and personal tragedy, revealing that his wife Kimberly had suffered a miscarriage during the competition's semi-finals. After his elimination, he paid tribute to her support: "Kimberly, I love you. Thank you for pushing me out on that dance floor."
In March 2025, he appeared as the Griffin on The Masked Singer, where his unmasking became an emotional family moment as his wife and children surprised him on stage.
Final Projects and Legacy
Just months before his passing, Van Der Beek had been cast in the Legally Blonde prequel television series Elle, playing Dean Wilson, a mayoral candidate and school district superintendent. He expressed excitement about the role on Instagram in May, writing: "So, this is exciting... I'm going back to work for a bit."
Filming had begun in April with a cast that included Lexi Underwood, June Diane Raphael, and Tom Everett Scott. This would prove to be one of his final professional engagements.
A Peaceful Passing
Van Der Beek's death was announced on his official Instagram page on Tuesday morning. His family shared: "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." They requested privacy as they grieve their "loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend."
The actor is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children. His career spanned nearly three decades, transitioning seamlessly from teen idol to character actor, leaving an indelible mark on television history.
