Shocking news: James Van Der Beek has passed away after battling stage 3 colorectal cancer, but his final 3-word wish is causing a stir

James Van Der Beek dies following battle with colon cancer

The Brief

Actor James Van Der Beek has died at 48 following recent health struggles with colorectal cancer.
Van Der Beek’s career spanned nearly 30 years, starring in movies and television series like “Dawson’s Creek” and “Varsity Blues.”

LOS ANGELES – Beloved TV star James Van Der Beek has died following a battle with colorectal cancer. He was 48 years old.

The actor, known for starring in the popular television series “Dawson’s Creek,” died Wednesday, officials and his family confirmed. No cause of death was given.

Van Der Beek has acted in dozens of movies and television shows throughout the years, including, “Varsity Blues,” “The Rules of Attraction,” and most recently, the Tubi film “Sidelined 2: Intercepted.”

James Van Der Beek dies at 48

What they’re saying:

Van Der Beek’s wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, confirmed the news on social media on Wednesday.

“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” she wrote. “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.”

A rep for the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office told TMZ that his death was reported to them at 6:44 a.m.

The backstory:

Late last year, Van Der Beek missed the “Dawson’s Creek” reunion, after telling fans that he had contracted two stomach viruses.

RELATED: James Van Der Beek makes surprise virtual appearance at ‘Dawson’s Creek’ reunion

The actor revealed in 2024 that he was undergoing treatment for colorectal cancer, and last year, he talked about the “hardest year” of his life.

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James Van Der Beek surprise video appearance at Dawson’s Creek fundraiser reunion

Fans who attended a Dawson’s Creek reunion fundraiser at a New York theater on Monday, September 22, were surprised when James Van Der Beek, who has colorectal cancer, made a video appearance at the event. Credit: @misterdine via Storyful

“When I was younger, I used to define myself as an actor, which was never all that fulfilling, and then I became a husband… it was much better, and then I became a father… that was the ultimate,” he said to his 1.6 million followers on Instagram last year.

The father-of-six pointed out that during his cancer battle he was forced to “look my own mortality in the eye.”

FILE – James Van Der Beek at Prime Video’s “Overcompensating” premiere held at the Hollywood Palladium on May 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)

“I had to come nose to nose with death,” he remarked. “And all those definitions that I cared so deeply about were stripped from me.”

“I was away for treatment, so I could no longer be a husband who was helpful to my wife,” Van Der Beek continued. “I could no longer be a father who could pick up his kids and put them to bed and be there for them. I could not be a provider because I wasn’t working.”

During his cancer journey, the actor admitted he began to question if he was “just a too-skinny, weak guy, alone in an apartment with cancer… what am I?”

“I am worthy of God’s love simply because I exist,” Van Der Beek shared. “And if I’m worthy of God’s love, shouldn’t I also be worthy of my own?”

“As I move through this healing portal toward recovery,” Van Der Beek said, “I wanted to share that with you because that revelation that came to me was in no small part to all the prayers and the love that had been directed toward me.”

James Van Der Beek’s legacy

Big picture view:

Born on March 8, 1977, in Connecticut, Van Der Beek won the title role of Dawson Leery in WB’s “Dawson’s Creek.” The show’s 1998 debut was a success that helped to establish the network and its cast. The series ran for six seasons and was syndicated worldwide.

In 1999, he also starred in the teen football drama “Varsity Blues.” He won an MTV Movie Award for his role.

RELATED: James Van Der Beek makes surprise virtual appearance at ‘Dawson’s Creek’ reunion

He made appearances in several other projects, including, “Ugly Betty,” “Criminal Minds,” “How I Met Your Mother,” and “One Tree Hill.”

Van Der Beek also co-created, wrote, produced and starred in “What Would Diplo Do?,” in which he portrayed producer and DJ Diplo. The movie scored 90% on Rotten Tomatoes.

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Van Der Beek joined the cast of the 28th season of “Dancing with the Stars,” and in 2025, he competed on Season 13 of “The Masked Singer.”

Van Der Beek married business consultant Kimberly Brook in 2010. The couple have six children together.  He was previously married to actress Heather McComb until their separation in 2009.

He is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and six children, Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah. A Van Der Beek GoFundMe account was created to support the family.

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