James Van Der Beek, star of Dawson’s Creek, dies aged 48

James David Van Der Beek has died, his family announced on his official Instagram page. “Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith and grace,” the post said, adding a request for “peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother and friend.” Van Der Beek disclosed a bowel cancer diagnosis in November 2024 as he prepared to appear on the charity special The Real Full Monty, and later said he planned to auction memorabilia to help fund treatment.

His wife, Kimberly, shared a link to a GoFundMe seeking $500,000 to help cover medical and living expenses after extended care left the family short of funds. Born in Connecticut in 1977, he turned to acting after a childhood football concussion and rose to fame in 1998 as Dawson Leery on Dawson’s Creek.

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