James Van Der Beek, the Hollywood actor best known for playing Dawson Leery on The WB’s ‘Dawson’s Creek’, has died at 48.
His family shared the sad news on his Instagram page on Wednesday and asked the public to respect their privacy as they grieve.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,” the statement reads in part.
The family also asked for privacy as they mourn “our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend”.
“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,” it added.
Born in 1977 in Cheshire, the American actor was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in late 2023, though he chose not to share the news publicly until November 2024.
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In the wake of his demise, Van Der Beek’s wife Kimberly shared a link via social media to a GoFundMe campaign, requesting support.
She revealed that Van Der Beek’s illness left the family in “financial strain”.
“The costs of James’s medical care and the extended fight against cancer have left the family out of funds,” the post read.
“They are working hard to stay in their home and to ensure the children can continue their education and maintain some stability during this incredibly difficult time.”
Beek was the eldest of three children. He started acting in middle school, and when he was 15, he told his mother he wanted to audition professionally.
A father of six, Beek rose to fame in the late ’90s and early 2000s through standout roles in the cult favourite ‘Dawson’s Creek’ and the football drama ‘Varsity Blues,’ among others.
