James Van Der Beek, the star of Dawson’s Creek, has died. The news – later confirmed on his social media profiles – initially came from TMZ, which cited a representative from the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office in Texas: “The death was reported to them at 6:44 a.m. The cause of death was not specified.” The actor revealed a diagnosis of colon-rectal cancer in late 2024. He was scheduled to reunite with his “Dawson’s Creek” castmates in September, but was forced to withdraw due to health concerns. He is survived by his wife, Kimberley, and their six children: daughters Olivia, Annabel, Emilia, and Gwendolyn, and sons Joshua and Jeremiah.
Following the initial report from TMZ, a post appeared on his social media accounts: “Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed away peacefully this morning.
He faced his last days with courage, faith, and grace. There is much to share about his wishes, his love for humanity, and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now, we ask for serene privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”
Family and Success with ‘Dawson’s Creek’
Born on March 8, 1977, in Cheshire, Connecticut, to a well-to-do family with Dutch ancestry, Van Der Beek was the son of Jim, a former professional baseball player who similarly played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Melinda, a Broadway dancer. His passion for acting blossomed early: at just thirteen years old, he played Danny Zuko in a local production of “Grease” in his hometown. After his early steps in theater, he moved to New York in 1993 to audition and participated in off-Broadway productions such as “Finding the Sun” and “Shenandoah.” His film debut came in 1995 with “Angus,” but his breakthrough arrived in 1998 with the lead role in the teen series “Dawson’s Creek.” To fully dedicate himself to the project, which made him internationally famous, he left Drew University, where he was studying on a scholarship. The series, which aired until 2003, cemented his status as a television icon of the late 1990s. His Dawson, sensitive and idealistic, became a symbol of a generation of teenagers grappling with first loves, friendships, and the anxieties of growing up. The news of Van Der Beek’s passing is sure to resonate with fans who grew up with the show and remember his portrayal of the iconic character.
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