James Van Der Beek, the beloved actor best known for portraying Dawson Leery in the iconic teen drama Dawson’s Creek, has passed away at the age of 48 after a year-long battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer.
His wife, Kimberly, confirmed his death in a heartfelt tribute shared on social media: "Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace.
"There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity, and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now, we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend," she added.
The Road to Diagnosis
Van Der Beek's diagnosis came after he sought medical attention for continuous changes in his bowel habits.
“It was just a change in bowel habits... I thought, I probably need to change my diet a little bit,” he recalled, per PEOPLE.
"Maybe I need to stop coffee. Maybe I need to not put cream in the coffee. And then I finally took that out of the diet, and it didn't improve, and I thought, all right, I better go get this checked out," he added.
However, his symptoms persisted, leading to the devastating diagnosis: "I felt really, really good as I was coming out of anesthesia that I had finally done it and looked into it. And as I was coming out of the haze, the gastroenterologist said - in his most pleasant bedside manner - it is cancer."
The Growing Concern of Colorectal Cancer in Younger Populations
The Varsity Blues star's diagnosis underscores the growing concern around colorectal cancer, particularly among younger individuals.
The American Cancer Society recently reported that from 1995 to 2019, the percentage of colorectal cancer diagnoses in individuals under 55 nearly doubled from 11% to 20%.
Dr. Robin Mendelsohn, co-director of the Center for Young Onset Colorectal and Gastrointestinal Cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, stated: "We have seen an alarming and unsettling increase in the instance of colorectal cancer in younger people," per HuffPost.
The Importance of Early Detection
Van Der Beek’s heartbreaking experience serves as a reminder of the importance of early detection.
While routine screenings are usually recommended for those over 45, younger individuals experiencing symptoms such as rectal bleeding, changes in stool, or abdominal pain should not hesitate to seek medical advice.
Experts have emphasized the importance of being proactive in monitoring your health, especially as early-stage colorectal cancer is highly treatable.
The Rules of Attraction star leaves behind his wife, Kimberly, and their six children, Olivia, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, Joshua, and Jeremiah, who have stood by him throughout his journey.
His final public appearance, in July 2025, was a video interview in which he expressed gratitude for the support of his fans.
An Instagram user who goes by @mickmicknyc shared a video from the visit, showing the actor wearing dark grey pants with a button-up shirt and matching jacket.
Van Der Beek had hoped to attend the Dawson’s Creek reunion in September, but his illness prevented him from being there in person.
He appeared virtually, thanking fans for their ongoing love and support, while praising his family for attending in his place.
“I have been looking forward to this night for months and months ever since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together,” he said, cited by The New York Post. “I can’t believe I’m not there. I can’t believe I don’t get to see my cast mates, my beautiful cast in person.
“And just I want to stand on that stage and thank every single person in the theater for being here tonight,” he continued. “From the cast to the crew to everybody who’s doing anything and has been so generous, and especially every single last one of you – you are the best fans in the world.”
Our thoughts continue to be with Van Der Beek's loved ones.