James Van Der Beek, best known for playing Dawson Leery on Dawson’s Creek, has died at the age of 48, according to a heartfelt statement shared by his family. They said he passed peacefully after privately battling stage 3 colorectal cancer, facing his final days with courage and grace while surrounded by loved ones. The family asked for privacy as they mourn the loss of a devoted husband, father of six, son, brother, and friend. Though many fans knew him as a defining face of late-1990s television, those closest to him say his greatest pride in recent years was his role as a husband and father, often sharing tender family moments and reflections about gratitude, resilience, and the value of time.

Van Der Beek revealed his diagnosis in late 2024 after treatment began, encouraging others to pay attention to early health warning signs. His illness later explained his absence from public appearances, including a long-awaited Dawson’s Creek reunion, though he still appeared in an emotional prerecorded message thanking fans and castmates. Many viewers later described that appearance as bittersweet, noticing how fragile he looked while still speaking with warmth and humor. In his final months, he continued focusing on family and raising awareness while stepping away from Hollywood’s spotlight. His passing marks the loss of an actor who helped define a generation of television but will perhaps be remembered even more for the openness, sincerity, and devotion to family he showed during the most challenging chapter of his life.