US actor James Van der Beek has died at the age of 48.Image: keystone
American actor James David Van Der Beek has died at the age of 48. In November 2024 he made his colon cancer public.
Feb 11, 2026, 8:54 p.m02/12/2026, 08:15
In the cult series “Dawson’s Creek” about the lives of teenagers in the fictional US town of Capeside, James Van Der Beek shone as the film-loving high school student Dawson Leery. His best friend is Joey Potter, played by Katie Holmes. The young cast also included Michelle Williams and Joshua Jackson, who all later went on to have careers in Hollywood. The hit series about growing up, with love worries and teenage fears, captivated an audience of millions over six seasons (1998–2003).
Newcomer Van Der Beek became a teen star overnight. Now the actor has died at the age of 48. His family announced on Instagram on Wednesday that he died “peacefully” in the morning. Van Der Beek’s spokeswoman confirmed his death when asked by dpa. He faced his final days “with courage, faith and grace,” the family’s post continued.
Kimberley Van Der Beek mourns the loss of her husband.
In November 2024, the father of six made it public that he had colon cancer. “It’s cancer,” the then 47-year-old wrote on Instagram. Many people around the world hear this diagnosis every year, he continued. “And I am one of them.” The disease had already been discovered in Van Der Beek the year before.
Many colleagues expressed their sadness and paid tribute to the series star. Sarah Michelle Gellar (48) posted a photo together from old times in an Instagram story. She grew up with him. «He was one of the good boys. This is a real loss,” the actress wrote. Selma Blair (53) also remembered their beginning together in Hollywood. She always admired him and valued him very much, said Blair. Ashton Kutcher (48) wrote on the X platform that he was lucky to know this man and grow with him.
Sharon Stone, Jennifer Garner, Marlee Matlin, Jenna Dewan, Kellan Lutz, Lin Manuel Miranda and Paul Walter Hauser were among the many who expressed their sadness. Rumer Willis (37), the eldest daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, praised Van der Beek as a father and husband who treated his family with love and respect. In an Instagram story, she linked a GoFundMe call for donations for the widow Kimberly Van Der Beek and her six children aged 4 to 15.
The expensive cancer treatment would have consumed the family’s assets, the appeal says. They would face an “uncertain future”. They need money to finance the living expenses and education of their children. Within a few hours, over $700,000 in donations were raised.
Actor Van Der Beek often shared with his 1.8 million followers on Instagram how he was feeling physically and mentally. Van Der Beek said in an emotional video message in November 2024 that he would speak openly about his illness to call on others to take prevention seriously and get examined early. Such a diagnosis is scary and overwhelming, but he believes in healing – “miracles happen.”
In March 2025, on his 48th birthday, he looked back on “the most difficult year” of his life. “I had to face my own mortality,” said Van Der Beek. During treatment he was no longer able to help his family as a father, husband and money earner. But through cancer he gained the knowledge to ask for help and to be worthy of being loved.
Above all, he showed gratitude to his family. After divorcing his first wife, actress Heather McComb, he married producer Kimberly Brook in 2010. A month after the wedding, their first daughter was born, followed by three more girls and two boys.
The family was present in September 2025 when the cast of “Dawson’s Creek” gathered to support the cancer-stricken star at a charity event for the organization “Fuck Cancer”. Stars like Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson stood on stage in front of fans in New York to speak the pilot episode of the old hit series live. However, Van Der Beek had to cancel at short notice due to an acute viral illness. From his home in Austin (US state of Texas), he spoke out in a touching video, visibly affected by cancer.
Van Der Beek was already on the theater stage as a student – and, according to his own statements, dreamed of becoming famous as a singer on New York’s Broadway. His first film roles were in the comedy “Angus – totally cool” (1995) and alongside Claire Danes and Jude Law in the drama-romance “I Love You, I Love You Not”.
Then came the “Dawson’s Creek” lead role, which made him a popular series star. This was followed by further TV appearances in series such as “How I Met Your Mother”, “Apartment 23” and “Friends with Better Lives”. He also had success in front of the film camera. His role as a football player in the drama “Varsity Blues” earned him the trophy for Best “Breakthrough Performance” as Outstanding Newcomer at the 1999 MTV Movie Awards. He has had other film appearances in “Texas Rangers”, “The Rules of the Game”, “Labor Day”, “Downsizing” and in 2020 in the horror comedy “Bad Hair”. (sda/dpa)