James Van Der Beek Dies at 48 After Cancer Battle

Actor James Van Der Beek, best known for his role as Dawson Leery on the hit WB teen drama Dawson’s Creek, has died at the age of 48. Reports say he passed away following a battle with colorectal cancer.

Dawson’s Creek, which aired from 1998 to 2003, made Van Der Beek a global television star and helped define a generation of teen drama. He also appeared in the football film Varsity Blues and went on to build a diverse career across comedy, drama, and streaming series.

In later years, Van Der Beek became known for self-parody performances that introduced him to new audiences. Tributes from fans and former co-stars are now spreading online, honoring an actor whose work left a lasting mark on television.