James Van Der Beek Dies at 48 After a Battle with Cancer

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - James Van Der Beek, an actor best known for his role as Dawson Leery on the popular series Dawson's Creek, has passed away at the age of 48, confirmed by his family on February 11, 2026, via his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek's Instagram account.

She wrote, "Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed away peacefully this morning."

James Van Der Beek passed away in Austin, Texas, United States, after battling stage 3 colorectal cancer. He was diagnosed in August 2023, but only publicly announced his death in November 2024.

The family, through a statement from his wife, Kimberly, revealed that James passed away peacefully this morning.

Kimberly added that her husband faced his final days with courage, faith, and grace, and asked for privacy to grieve.

REMEMBERING JAMES VAN DER BEEKFrom #DawsonsCreek to "Varsity Blues," James Van Der Beek was one of the most beloved teen stars of the late 1990s. He become a TV icon for playing Dawson Leery on all six seasons of The WB's "Dawson's Creek."https://t.co/vdeEnTqcHZ pic.twitter.com/rze4F8MIXE

— Variety (@Variety) February 11, 2026

Since his diagnosis, James Van Der Beek has not only battled privately but has also become an active advocate for early detection of colon cancer.

He has used his platform to raise awareness of the importance of screening.

In November 2025, he even plans to auction off memorabilia from Dawson's Creek and Varsity Blues to help cover the costs of his treatment.

He also participated in the television show "The Real Full Monty" as part of his efforts to raise funds and awareness.

His battle with cancer has inspired many to take health seriously. James Van Der Beek's passing serves as a reminder of the importance of early detection and support for cancer survivors.

James David Van Der Beek began his acting career at the age of 13, showing promising talent from an early age.

His professional stage debut came at the age of 16 in the Off-Broadway production of "Finding the Sun" in 1993 and appeared in the musical "Shenandoah" at the age of 17, honing his acting skills.

His big break came when he played Dawson Leery in the television series "Dawson's Creek" (1998–2003).

This role transformed him into a global teen idol and made him a household name alongside co-stars Katie Holmes and Michelle Williams.

In addition to Dawson's Creek, James Van Der Beek also starred in the film Varsity Blues (1999), which earned him an MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Male Performance.

He also plays a fictionalized version of himself in the critically acclaimed sitcom Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 (2012–2013).

Other roles include FBI agent Elijah Mundo in CSI: Cyber ​​(2015–2016) and Matt Bromley in Pose (2018).

He has also had roles in films such as The Rules of Attraction (2002) and Labor Day (2013), and voiced Boris Hauntley in Vampirina.

James Van Der Beek has had a colorful personal life, beginning with his marriage to actress Heather McComb from 2003 to 2010.

After the divorce, he found happiness with business consultant Kimberly Brook, whom he married on August 1, 2010, in an intimate ceremony in Tel Aviv, Israel.

The couple was blessed with six children: Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, and Jeremiah.

The Van Der Beek family faced a difficult ordeal with Kimberly's two miscarriages at 17 weeks or later, an experience James shared openly.

In September 2020, the family decided to move from Los Angeles to Texas, seeking a quieter life.