KEY POINT
- James Van Der Beek dies at 48 following a cancer diagnosis first disclosed in 2024.
- The “Dawson’s Creek” star had recently auctioned career memorabilia to help fund treatment.
- His death highlights ongoing concerns about cancer’s impact on working age adults in the entertainment industry.
LOS ANGELES — James Van Der Beek, the actor best known for his starring role in the television drama “Dawson’s Creek,” has died at age 48 following a cancer diagnosis, according to a statement released by his family.
In a message shared through a representative, the family asked for privacy and said they would later speak publicly “regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time.” The statement described him as a “loving husband, father, son, brother and friend.”
Van Der Beek disclosed in 2024 that he had been diagnosed with cancer but did not specify the type. In an interview with People magazine that year, he said he was “feeling good” and was “taking steps to resolve it,” without detailing his treatment.
In November 2025, he said he had begun auctioning memorabilia from his career to help cover medical expenses.
The death of James Van Der Beek marks the loss of one of late 1990s television’s defining figures. As Dawson Leery on “Dawson’s Creek,” he became a central face of The WB network’s youth oriented programming and helped shape a generation of serialized teen dramas that influenced global television trends.
His passing at 48 follows a public but private battle with cancer, one he acknowledged sparingly. The family’s statement emphasized both his devotion to loved ones and a desire for quiet mourning.
Born in 1977, Van Der Beek rose to prominence in 1998 when he was cast as Dawson Leery in “Dawson’s Creek.” The series ran until 2003 and became a cultural touchstone, launching the careers of several cast members and cementing its place in the teen drama canon.
In 1999, he starred in the football drama “Varsity Blues,” a commercial success that broadened his appeal beyond television audiences.
Over the following decades, he maintained a steady presence in film and television, including a self referential role in the ABC comedy “Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23” in 2012, where he played a fictionalized version of himself.
Media historian Robert Thompson, director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University, said Van Der Beek’s early work coincided with a transitional period in broadcast television.
“‘Dawson’s Creek’ arrived at a moment when youth programming was becoming more serialized and emotionally introspective,” Thompson said. “Van Der Beek’s performance helped define that tone for an international audience.”
Tributes from colleagues began circulating shortly after news of Van Der Beek’s death became public.
Television producer Greg Berlanti, who worked in the same era of youth-focused programming, said in a statement that Van Der Beek “helped define a generation of television storytelling.”
Entertainment industry analyst Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore, said Van Der Beek’s career reflected the evolution of television fame in the streaming era.
“He transitioned from network stardom to a more diversified career that included film, streaming and self aware roles,” Dergarabedian said. “That adaptability is part of what has allowed actors from the late 1990s to remain culturally relevant.”
In November 2025, Van Der Beek publicly announced the auction of personal items from his career, including scripts and memorabilia, to assist with treatment costs.
That disclosure drew attention to the financial pressures even established actors can face when confronting long-term illness.
SAG AFTRA, the union representing film and television performers, has in recent years emphasized the importance of healthcare access for working actors whose income may fluctuate.
A spokesperson for the union declined to comment specifically on Van Der Beek but said in a general statement that “affordable, continuous healthcare coverage remains a core issue for performers across the industry.”
Cultural Legacy
Dawson’s Creek became a global export, airing in dozens of countries and contributing to the international growth of US youth programming. The show’s emphasis on emotional dialogue and serialized storytelling influenced later series in both network and streaming formats.
Van Der Beek’s portrayal of Dawson Leery an aspiring filmmaker navigating adolescence became emblematic of a particular era in American television. The role brought him immediate recognition and long-term association with the character.
Van Der Beek’s family said additional details about memorial services would be shared at a later time. Industry observers expect renewed discussion around healthcare security for mid career actors and the broader issue of cancer awareness among younger adults.
Public health officials continue to call for expanded screening research and preventive strategies as early-onset cancer cases draw more attention worldwide.
The death of James Van Der Beek at 48 closes a chapter on a defining figure of late 1990s television. Known globally for “Dawson’s Creek” and subsequent film and television roles, he leaves behind a career that reflected both the promise and pressures of modern entertainment.
His family has requested privacy as they mourn, while colleagues and audiences reflect on his contributions to television history.
