A face that defined an entire generation has fallen silent... James Van Der Beek, the American actor best known for the iconic series Dawson, passed away on February 11, 2026, at the age of 48 due to a stage 3 colorectal cancer. His wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, announced the news on Instagram. Diagnosed in November 2024, Van Der Beek was open about his illness. His condition ultimately prevented him from attending the Dawson cast reunion in person in September 2025, and he appeared weakened in a video message shared with fans. He leaves behind his wife and their six children.
Born on March 8, 1977, in Cheshire, Connecticut, James Van Der Beek gravitated towards comedy from a young age. After beginning his career on stage and making some early television appearances, he rose to fame in 1998 with his role as Dawson Leery in the series Dawson’s Creek (the original English title). Airing until 2003, the show became a defining fixture of the late 1990s and early 2000s, leaving a lasting impact on an entire generation of viewers.
He also surprised audiences by taking on more offbeat roles. In the TV series Don’t Trust the B---- in Apartment 23, which aired from 2012 to 2013, he played a fictional and deliberately exaggerated version of himself, joking with his image as a former teen idol, alongside Krysten Ritter (Jessica Jones...). A few years later, in 2019, he took part in the American show Dancing with the Stars (Dancing with the Stars in France), where his performances saw him reach the semifinals.
He also stars in the film Varsity Blues and continues to land roles in various television series, including How I Met Your Mother and CSI: Cyber. Renowned for his portrayal in Dawson's Creek, James Van Der Beek has built a more than twenty-year-long on-screen career, remaining a recognizable face for American audiences.
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