James Van Der Beek, best known for his role in Dawson’s Creek, has died at 48.
I was so incredibly saddened to hear the news. James Van Der Beek’s wife, Kimberly, shared on Instagram that he’s passed away after a brave fight with stage 3 colorectal cancer. He was diagnosed back in August 2023, and while he kept it private for a while, he eventually shared the news with everyone in November 2024. It’s just heartbreaking.
Kimberly Van Der Beek announced the peaceful passing of her husband, James David Van Der Beek, this morning. She shared that he faced his final days with courage, faith, and grace, and that his wishes, love for others, and appreciation for life were important to him. The family asks for privacy as they mourn the loss of their husband, father, son, brother, and friend, and plans to share more details later.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by James Van Der Beek (@vanderjames)
Cancer diagnosis and public battle
James Van Der Beek revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer in 2024. He shared that he’d been privately working to address the health issue, with strong support from his family.
Colorectal cancer is a very common cancer in the United States, affecting about 150,000 people annually. Globally, the Colorectal Cancer Alliance estimates that around 1 in 24 people will develop this cancer at some point in their lives.
To cover medical bills, Van Der Beek sold off personal items from his popular shows, Dawson’s Creek and Varsity Blues, in an auction last November.
One notable item up for auction was the necklace his character gave Joey (played by Katie Holmes) for prom on Dawson’s Creek. Experts estimated it could sell for between $26,400 and $52,800, according to Deadline. His outfit from the very first episode of Dawson’s Creek, filmed in 1998, was also expected to sell for around $4,000.
He also offered items from the 1999 movie Varsity Blues for auction, including his West Canaan Coyotes hat and a pair of black and white Reebok cleats. These items were estimated to be worth between $1,320 and $52,800.
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2026-02-11 23:18