James Van Der Beek, a staple of 90’s and early 2000’s films and television, has died at 48. The news was shared by his family, who revealed he died this morning. Van Der Beek was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, sharing the news in late 2024.
The announcement was made on social media. “Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” reads the statement, shared through Van der Beek’s Instagram.
“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.”
© Columbia TriStarVan Der Beek shared the news of his diagnosis in November 2024. “I’ve been dealing with this privately until now, getting treatment and dialing in my overall health with greater focus than ever before,” he said on social media. “Please know that my family and I deeply appreciate all the love and support.”
Following his statement, Van Der Beek began to share updates about his health online, sharing images and videos of his recovery, his life with his wife and kids, and writing about the importance of the support he’s received from his friends and loved ones.
Van Der Beek is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children: Olivia, Annabel, Gwendolyn, Emilia, Joshua, and Jeremiah.
Last year’s moving ‘Dawson’s Creek’ reunion
© Getty ImagesLast year, the “Dawson’s Creek” cast reunited for a live reading of the show’s pilot episode, with the proceeds being donated to Van der Beek’s family and to cancer research.
The event gathered the original cast, including series stars Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, and Joshua Jackson. It also reunited them with other notable cast members, including Mary Beth Peil, John Wesley Shipp, and Busy Philipps. Van der Beek was initially scheduled to attend the show, hosted in New York, but had to skip the event due to his health, with Lin-Manuel Miranda stepping in for him.
Van der Beek appeared in a video that played at the reunion, with many fans growing concerned due to his noticeable weight loss. Afterwards, he revealed that the weight loss was due to a stomach virus. “No, it was not cancer-related, although with cancer, everything’s like, ‘Why don’t we super-size that stomach virus?'” he said on the Today Show.
“As crushed as I was not being able to go to that Dawson’s Creek reunion, my family got to go. And I was Zooming in on that night, and they got a standing ovation just for taking their seats,” he said.
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