The American actor James Van Der Beek, best known for his role as the titular character of the ‘90s and early ’00s teen drama “Dawson’s Creek,” has died

James Van Der Beek, who was known for portraying Dawson Leery in 1990s teen drama Dawson's Creek, died at 48 on Wednesday (Feb. 11) after a battle with cancer, his family announced. "Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning.

The father of six starred in multiple popular shows and films in the late 1990s and early 2000s, including Dawson's Creek and Varsity Blues.

James Van Der Beek, who found fame playing Dawson Leery opposite Katie Holmes' Joey Potter on the TV series 'Dawson's Creek,' has died. He was 48.

James Van Der Beek, who played heartthrob Dawson Leery on "Dawson's Creek," died Wednesday at 48 years old.

Feb. 11, 2026 Get more news © 2026 NBCUniversal Media, LLC

Actor James Van Der Beek, who starred in "Dawson's Creek," died Feb. 11, 2026, at age 48 of colorectal cancer. Here's what to know.

Katie Holmes has become the first member of Dawson’s Creek‘s lead quartet to publicly share her reaction to the death of their co-star and friend James Van Der Beek at the age of 48 after a battle with colorectal cancer.