Before he passed away, James Van Der Beek endured a painful and deeply personal battle with his health.
Officials confirmed Wednesday that the actor best known for Dawson’s Creek and Varsity Blues has died at the age of 48.
In November 2024 Van Der Beek went public with news that he had been diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer the prior year. In an interview with PEOPLE he acknowledged the diagnosis and explained he had been handling it privately while taking steps to treat the disease, supported by his family.
At the time he shared the diagnosis, Van Der Beek expressed a hopeful outlook and said he was feeling well. That December, the father of six announced he would be offering signed and limited-edition Varsity Blues memorabilia for sale, both to help cover his own medical costs and to assist other families facing similar financial burdens from illness.
Throughout his updates, Van Der Beek maintained an upbeat tone about his situation. Speaking with TODAY.com in July, he described his experience as an ongoing journey and said it would likely remain a part of his life indefinitely. He called managing cancer “a full-time job,” but added that it had allowed him to slow down, prioritize rest, and appreciate the value of taking life at a gentler pace.
Van Der Beek had planned to take part in a Dawson’s Creek reunion benefit that would support him and F Cancer, but he withdrew shortly beforehand after suffering from two stomach viruses. The reunion, organized by Michelle Williams, nevertheless took place in September, featuring many of the original Dawson’s Creek cast — including Williams, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, Mary Beth Peil, John Wesley Shipp, Mary‑Margaret Humes, Nina Repeta, Kerr Smith, Meredith Monroe and Busy Philipps — who performed a reading of the pilot script. Lin‑Manuel Miranda joined the group to play Dawson Leery in the reading.
His fight continued as he sought resources to cover mounting costs: in December he put several Dawson’s Creek items up for auction to help with medical bills. He also appeared on Today that month, reflecting on his diagnosis and saying that despite the circumstances he felt “fortunate” in some respects.
He told the program that the whole process had lasted longer than he ever expected and had demanded patience, discipline and reserves of strength he hadn’t realized he possessed. While he declined to outline specifics of his treatments, he said he had been “trying a bunch of stuff” in pursuit of what might help.
Recalling his initial reaction to the diagnosis, Van Der Beek told Today co‑host Craig Melvin that he was initially in shock. Yet almost immediately he found a reframing in his mind: he believed the diagnosis would spur life changes he might never have made otherwise and could ultimately add healthier, happier years to his life.
On Wednesday his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, announced his passing on his social media accounts. She wrote that James David Van Der Beek “passed peacefully this morning,” and described his final days as being met with courage, faith and grace. Kimberly said there is more to share later about his wishes, his love for humanity and the importance he placed on the preciousness of time, and asked for privacy now as the family mourns their husband, father, son, brother and friend.
Hi, I’m Emily, a passionate and dedicated member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a keen eye for detail and a love for writing, I ensure that the latest celebrity news, major economic trends, and helpful tips for your home are presented in the most engaging and informative way possible. Fun fact: During a particularly exciting news story, I once managed to finish an article in record time, fueled solely by copious amounts of coffee and pure adrenaline!
