Actor James Van Der Beek, finest recognized for his main function on the enduring WB drama Dawson’s Creek, died Wednesday on the age of 48 following a brave battle with colorectal most cancers. His household confirmed his dying in an announcement shared on Instagram.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek handed peacefully this morning,” the assertion learn. “He met his remaining days with braveness, religion, and style. There may be a lot to share concerning his needs, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. These days will come. For now, we ask for peaceable privateness as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and good friend.”
Van Der Beek obtained a colorectal most cancers analysis in 2023 and publicly disclosed it in 2024. He spoke brazenly about his remedy and inspired early screening and prevention, utilizing his platform to boost consciousness in regards to the illness. In interviews, he described the analysis as a “lowest level,” saying it challenged his sense of id as a father, husband and supplier, however he discovered power in love and resilience.
The actor rose to prominence in 1998 because the earnest, introspective Dawson Leery, on the heart of Dawson’s Creek, which ran for six seasons till 2003. The sequence helped outline late-Nineteen Nineties teen tv and established Van Der Beek as one of many period’s most recognizable younger actors.
He expanded his profession with a number one function within the 1999 cult sports activities movie Varsity Blues and later appeared in tv sequence together with Don’t Belief the B—- in Residence 23, CSI: Cyber, Pose, Mercy, and Associates With Higher Lives. His movie credit additionally included The Guidelines of Attraction, Labor Day, and Texas Rangers. His remaining display screen look got here in 2025’s Sidelined 2: Intercepted.
James additionally participated in a digital Dawson’s Creek reunion final 12 months to assist elevate funds for most cancers charities, persevering with to help causes vital to him throughout his sickness. He’s survived by his spouse, Kimberly, and their six youngsters: Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah, who stood beside him all through his combat.
Van Der Beek leaves behind a physique of labor that formed a era of tv viewers and stays carefully related to one of many defining teen dramas of its period. Colleagues and followers bear in mind him for the sincerity and vulnerability he dropped at his performances.
Relaxation in peace, James Van Der Beek.
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