James Van Der Beek Passes Away at 48 After Tough Cancer Battle, Dawson’s Creek Co-Stars Share Tributes

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Actor James Van Der Beek has died, his wife, Kimberly, announced on Thursday. In a post on Instagram, she shared that he passed away peacefully surrounded by family. They have requested privacy as they mourn his loss. Van Der Beek had been battling stage 3 colorectal cancer since August 2023, a diagnosis he publicly revealed in November 2024. He was 48 years old.

James Van Der Beek is no more, announces wife Kimberly 

It’s with a broken heart that I share the news of James Van Der Beek’s passing. This morning, he passed away peacefully, and I can only imagine the peace he found. His wife, Kimberly, shared that he faced his final days with incredible courage, faith, and grace. She mentioned they’ll be sharing more about his wishes and his deep love for people and life itself when they’re ready. Right now, the family is asking for privacy as they grieve the loss of a truly wonderful husband, father, son, brother, and friend. It’s just… heartbreaking.

I was absolutely thrilled when I first saw James Van Der Beek as Dawson Leery in Dawson’s Creek – he really became a star through that show! It’s heartbreaking to hear about his recent health struggles. I read that he even had to sell off some of his old Dawson’s Creek memorabilia just to cover medical bills, which is just awful. Now, his family is trying to raise money through a charity page to help them stay in their home and ensure his kids get the education they deserve. I’m really hoping people will support them during this difficult time.

Following the actor’s death, many of his colleagues shared heartfelt messages. Busy Phillips wrote that James Van Der Beek was a uniquely wonderful person who will be deeply missed, adding that she was heartbroken by the loss of her friend, whom she cherished and was grateful to have known for so many years.

It’s hard to find the right words, but today is one of those times. Mary-Margaret Humes, who played James Van Der Beek’s mother on the show, wrote about how much she loved and admired him, praising his strength and grace during a difficult time. She fondly remembered their recent conversations and said she would cherish them always. Humes also asked fans of the show to be kind to one another in the days ahead.

I was so incredibly saddened to hear about his passing. He was truly a special person – so smart, funny, and genuinely kind. Working with him on ‘Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23’ was a joy, and I’ll always cherish our friendship. He just had this magical quality about him. My heart goes out to his wife, Kimberly, and their kids during this difficult time; they were his whole world.

He is survived by his wife and their six children: Olivia (15), Joshua (13), Annabel (12), Emilia (9), Gwendolyn (6), and Jeremiah (4). He married his current wife in August 2010, after divorcing actress Heather McComb, with whom he was in a relationship from 2003 to 2009.

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2026-02-12 10:07