James Van Der Beek, the actor best known for playing Dawson Leery in the hit 90s teen drama Dawson's Creek, has died aged 48. A statement shared on his official Instagram page on Wednesday read: 'Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith and grace.' The family asked for privacy as they grieve.
Van Der Beek revealed in November 2024 that he had been diagnosed with bowel cancer, shortly before he was due to appear on the US charity TV special The Real Full Monty. In November 2025, he announced plans to auction off memorabilia from his TV shows and films to fund his cancer treatment.
Born in Connecticut in 1977, Van Der Beek initially focused on sports until a childhood football accident led to severe concussion. After doctors advised him not to play sport for a year, he turned to acting and was cast as Danny Zuko in a school production of Grease. He shot to fame in 1998 as Dawson Leery, the teenage film buff, and was later voted one of People Magazine's Most Beautiful People in the World.
Van Der Beek spoke about the pressures of celebrity, saying: 'Walking around at that time was very tricky because one autograph could turn into a mob scene.' He also appeared in films such as Varsity Blues and The Rules of Attraction, and later took on comedic roles, including a meta version of himself in Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23.
Fellow teen idols paid tribute on social media. Sarah Michelle Gellar commented: 'I'm so sad for your beautiful family... Fuck Cancer.' Chad Michael Murray wrote: 'James was a giant... He inspired us to be better in all ways.' Jennifer Garner also expressed her condolences.
