Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek has passed away at the age of 48, it has been confirmed.

The father-of-six had been battling colorectal cancer after being diagnosed in August 2023, but he did not go public with his illness until November 2024.

In statement shared on the actor’s official Instagram page on February 11, his family said, “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.”

According to TMZ, a rep for the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office in Texas said his death was reported to them at 6:44am. No cause of death was given.

James’ followers and fans were quick to comment on the post as one person wrote, “Oh, this one hurts. I’m praying for your family,” and another said, “What a horrible loss.”

A third person posted, “Can’t believe it. I’m lost for words. Thank you for your legacy, James,” and a fourth added, “I was scared for this day. Rest in peace my brother.”

Speaking to People after going public with his diagnosis, James previously said, “I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family.”

Shortly after dropping the bombshell news, the Varsity Blues star spoke out about his health journey with the hope to raise awareness regarding the disease as it becomes more prevalent in healthy adults below 55.

“That’s one of the reasons I want to talk about it and the reason I’m talking about it so openly,” James told People.

“I’ve been dealing with this pretty much in secret for a while, and in the past, I’ve found it helpful and cathartic to share things publicly,” he told the publication. “And I’ve found a lot of support that way. But more than that, I really wanted to raise awareness.”

In November 2025, James announced he would be auctioning items from Dawson’s Creek and Varsity Blues in efforts to assist with costs associated with his cancer treatment.

James was best known for playing Dawson Leery in teen drama Dawson’s Creek, which ran from January 1998 until May 2003. The much-loved TV series also starred Joshua Jackson, Michelle Williams, and Katie Holmes.

In 1999, James also starred in the teen football drama Varsity Blues, which held the number 1 spot at the U.S. box office for its first two weeks. He also won an MTV Movie Award for his role as Jonathan ‘Mox’ Moxon.

The actor was born on March 8, 1977 in Cheshire, Connecticut, to his parents Melinda and James. He was of Dutch, German, English, Scots-Irish, and French descent; his last name translates to “from the creek” in Dutch.

James first began acting at school in his teenage years and played the role of Reuben in his middle school production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

At the age of 15, he asked his mother to take him into New York City to get an agent and try his hand in professional acting, and he made his professional debut off-Broadway at age 16 in 1993 in the New York premiere of Edward Albee’s play Finding the Sun with the Signature Theatre Company.

He went on to attend Drew University on an academic scholarship, where he participated in an all-male a cappella group, but he left the university when Dawson’s Creek started production.

Elsewhere in his career, James starred in various TV shows including How I Met Your Mother, One Tree Hill, Ugly Betty, and Modern Family.

James also enjoyed roles in various movies such as Scary Movie, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, and Labor Day.

He is survived by his wife Kimberly Brook and their six children.