James Van Der Beek, the cherished actor best known for his role in Dawson’s Creek, has died at the age of 48, his wife Kimberly Van Der Beek confirmed.

“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed away peacefully this morning,” Kimberly shared in a statement released Wednesday. “He faced his final days with courage, faith, and grace. There is so much to say about his wishes, his love for humanity, and his deep appreciation for the sacredness of time. That will come later. For now, we ask for privacy as we mourn our devoted husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”

Born on March 8, 1977, in Cheshire, Connecticut, Van Der Beek rose to fame portraying aspiring filmmaker Dawson Leery on The WB’s hit teen drama Dawson’s Creek, which aired from 1998 to 2003. The series became a cultural touchstone of the late ’90s and helped shape a new era of teen television. During that period, he also starred in the 1999 football drama Varsity Blues, earning an MTV Movie Award and solidifying his status as a breakout star.

Over the years, Van Der Beek built a diverse television career. He appeared in major roles on CSI: Cyber (2015–2016), Friends with Better Lives (2014), and Pose (2018). He also returned to his teen drama roots with a guest role on One Tree Hill between 2008 and 2009. In a self-aware twist, he memorably portrayed a fictionalized version of himself on the ABC sitcom Don’t Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 from 2012 to 2013.

More recently, he appeared in two episodes of Prime Video’s college comedy Overcompensating in 2025. He had also been cast as Dean Wilson in the upcoming Legally Blonde prequel series, Elle, scheduled to premiere later this year.

Van Der Beek was diagnosed with stage III colorectal cancer in August 2023 but kept the diagnosis private until November 2024. Speaking to People at the time, he shared, “I’ve been privately navigating this diagnosis and taking steps to address it, with the incredible support of my family. There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good.”

Despite his health challenges, acting remained a meaningful refuge. “The beautiful thing about work is that cancer doesn’t exist between ‘action’ and ‘cut,’” he said during an appearance on NBC’s Today last July. Reflecting on filming Elle, he added, “It was such a joy to step onto set and simply have fun. The cast and crew are incredibly talented, and it was a wonderful experience.”

James Van Der Beek leaves behind a legacy of heartfelt performances and a career that resonated with audiences across generations.