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By Lillie Liska
James Van Der Beek, known for his starring role on DAWSON’S CREEK, died Wednesday, Feb. 11. He was 48.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” his family announced in a statement shared on his Instagram this morning. “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.”
He died after a battle with colorectal cancer, which he was diagnosed with in 2023.
Van Der Beek is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children, daughters Olivia, 15, Annabel, 12, Emilia, 9, and Gwendolyn, 7, and sons Joshua, 13, and Jeremiah, 4.
Van Der Beek first publicly announced his cancer diagnosis in November 2024.
Related: James Van Der Beek Looks to Faith During ‘Hardest’ Year of Cancer
“I have colorectal cancer,” he revealed. “I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family.”
“There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good,” he added.
Born March 8, 1977, in Connecticut, Van Der Beek began acting in high school. After dropping out of college, he landed the role of Dawson Leery in DAWSON’S CREEK, which he starred in alongside Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson and Michelle Williams for six seasons from 1998 to 2003.
He and Kimberly met in 2009 and married the following year. The actor loved being a dad to his six children, calling fatherhood a “humbling” experience.
“I think fatherhood changes you from the inside out,” Van Der Beek said previously. “We have watched our lives change with each kid. We’ve watched opportunities grow, and we’ve seen the positive effect it’s had on our other kids. And the added love brought into the house lights everybody up in a way that is kind of undeniable.”
During his cancer fight, he leaned on his family and friends for support and help.
“[I am embracing] the beauty of just taking things a little bit more slowly and prioritizing rest and really allowing that to be the job,” Van Der Beek told Today.com. “I’m just on the journey…It’s a process. It’ll probably be a process for the rest of my life.”
“I’m someone who has always in the past tried to do everything for everybody and never asked for help myself and this has put me in a position of having to ask for help but having to receive help,” he added. “And the beautiful blessing of that has been seeing how many people in my life have shown up.”
Please keep Van Der Beek’s family and friends in your prayers as they grieve his death.
Several celebrities responded to Van Der Beek’s Instagram post with their own prayers for his family.
“A beautiful soul and unthinkably tragic loss. Sending prayers of peace to your family as you process this. We are all by your side. 🙏,” actress Danica McKellar wrote.
“So sad to see this news. He was a bright light here on IG and in the world. I will be praying for your family as you mourn this immense loss,” FIXER TO FABULOUS host Jenny Marrs said.
“So sorry for you, your family, the worlds loss😢 🙏🙏🙏,” actor Kellan Lutz added.
Read Next: James Van Der Beek Thanks This Special Person for Support Amid Cancer Battle
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