James Van Der Beek, the actor known best for âDawsonâs Creekâ and âVarsity Blues,â has died of Colorectal cancer.
He was 48.
Van Der Beekâs death was announced with a post on his Instagram pageWednesday, Feb. 11, per USA Today.
âOur beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,â a caption that accompanied of a photo him read.
âHe 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,â the post said.
Van Der Beek was diagnosed with stage 3 Colorectal cancer in August 2023. He went public with his illness in November 2024.
He continued working and appeared on shows like the CWâs âWalkerâ and Amazon Prime Videoâs comedy âOvercompensating.â
Van Der Beek also competed against fellow celebrities on Foxâs âThe Masked Singerâ on 2025.
