‘Dawson’s Creek’ Star James Van Der Beek Passes Away at 48

It’s the kind of news no one was ready to read. And the message that confirmed it? Quiet, heartfelt — and absolutely devastating.

James Van Der Beek, forever known as the earnest and emotional Dawson Leery on Dawson’s Creek, has died at just 48 years old.

The shocking announcement came via a deeply personal Instagram statement shared on his official account. In it, his family revealed that “our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning.”

James Van Der Beek

The message described his final days as filled with “courage, faith, and grace,” hinting at a private battle that had largely been kept out of the public eye.

“There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time,” the statement continued. “Those days will come.”

James Van Der Beek

For now, the family is asking for “peaceful privacy” as they grieve their “loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”

And that’s where the heartbreak deepens.

Van Der Beek wasn’t just a teen drama icon frozen in late-’90s nostalgia. He had grown into a devoted family man, frequently sharing glimpses of his life as a husband and father.

The phrase “sacredness of time” in the statement has left fans speculating about just how much he may have been quietly enduring — and for how long.

Van Der Beek shot to fame in 1998 when Dawson’s Creek premiered and quickly became a cultural phenomenon. As Dawson Leery, he embodied teenage longing and awkward sincerity in a way that defined an era.

That tearful “I don’t wanna wait” opening sequence? Pure pop culture history.

James Van Der Beek

Van Der Beek had been quietly battling stage 3 colorectal cancer, a diagnosis he kept largely private for more than a year before revealing it publicly.

In November 2024, he opened up to People magazine, sharing that he had been diagnosed after a routine colonoscopy and was undergoing treatment with the support of his “incredible family.”

In that exclusive interview, he said there was “reason for optimism” and that he was feeling as good as possible amid a grueling health journey.

That cancer battle quietly shaped the final chapter of his life — including the choices he made, the moments he cherished, and the cause he began championing.

Before his diagnosis became public, fans began noticing his absence from high-profile events. Most notably, he was forced to cancel his appearance at a Dawson’s Creek cast reunion in 2025, shocking fans who’d been eagerly awaiting a nostalgic night with the original cast.

But behind the scenes, doctors were fighting alongside him — and he fought back with grace, even as the illness took its toll.

Van Der Beek wasn’t just an actor with a beloved role. He was also a father of six — Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah — whom he adored and often cited as his motivation through treatment.

In fact, some of his last public posts celebrated family moments: from heartfelt messages on Instagram to personal reflections that resonated with fans around the world.

He shared his struggles, his gratitude, his fear — and often, his humor — with a sincerity that made him feel like one of us.

In September 2025, Van Der Beek was scheduled to attend a highly anticipated Dawson’s Creek reunion event in New York City organized to benefit F Cancer.

Just one day before the event, however, he announced he would not be able to attend in person due to illness — telling fans it was one of the moments he had been looking forward to for months. Still, he didn’t stay silent.

James Van Der Beek's appearance at the "Dawson Creek" reunion held at the Richard Rodgers Theater in New York on September 22, 2025 | Source: Instagram/backtoyoubobpod

In a surprise prerecorded video message that played during the reunion at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, a visibly frail Van Der Beek delivered one of his most emotional appearances yet.

Dressed in a casual jacket and flat cap, he spoke from the heart, expressing how much he wished he could be onstage with his former castmates and thanking the fans who had supported him for years.

“I can’t believe I’m not there,” he said, visibly emotional, before introducing the evening’s stand-in — Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda — with a touch of humor and his trademark sincerity.

It was a bittersweet moment that quickly went viral. Clips of his reunion appearance circulated online, where many fans were moved — and concerned — by his thin, fragile appearance.

Some fans wrote on social media that seeing him on screen felt less like a performance and more like a real-life farewell.