James Van Der Beek, the actor who defined a generation as the earnest Dawson Leery on Dawson’s Creek, has passed away in Texas at the age of 48.
His demise was confirmed in a statement shared on his social media accounts by his wife, Kimberly.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,” the statement read.
While no specific cause was cited beyond his known health struggles, Van Der Beek had been battling stage 3 colorectal cancer since 2023, a diagnosis he went public with in late 2024.
Van Der Beek became a cultural phenomenon from 1998 to 2003, anchoring The WB’s iconic teen drama.
He successfully transitioned from teen idol to versatile actor with roles in Varsity Blues and the satirical The Rules of Attraction.
Despite his “crying meme” immortality, which he frequently joked about, he was deeply respected for his range and humour.
In his final year, Van Der Beek became a vocal advocate for cancer awareness.
Though illness forced him to skip a Dawson’s Creek reunion reading in September 2025, he sent a video message thanking fans for their decades of loyalty.
The actor is survived by Kimberly and their six children.
Fans have since flooded social media with tributes.
“Dawson taught us to dream big,” one remembered.
His death marks a profound loss for Gen X and Millennial fans who grew up alongside him.
He leaves behind a legacy of emotional honesty, both in the characters he portrayed and the brave, public way he faced his final chapter.