The death has been announced of the American actor James Van Der Beek, best known for his starring role in the series Dawson's Creek. He was 48 and had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
In a statement, his family said he died "peacefully this morning".
The family statement read: "Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning.
"He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace.
"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."
James Van Der Beek: Dawson's Creek heart-throb and family man
Connecticut-born Van Der Beek missed a Dawson's Creek reunion event, which was organised in support of him and the charity F Cancer, in September 2025, due to two stomach viruses.
Dawson's Creek, which ran for six seasons from 1998 until 2003, followed a group of friends as they navigated different stages of their adolescence together, with Van Der Beek playing the titular character, Dawson Leery.
The much-loved series also launched the careers of Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, and Michelle Williams.
In November 2024, Van Der Beek told People magazine that he was "privately dealing" with his cancer diagnosis and "taking steps to resolve it".
His cancer was discovered during a routine colonoscopy the year before.
In the People interview, Van Der Beek said he had been prioritising time with his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their six children: Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, and Jeremiah.
The actor also acknowledged his diagnosis in an Instagram post to his 1.6 million followers, where he apologised to his loved ones who had learned about his cancer through the press.
Van Der Beek was also known for his roles as a fictional version of himself in Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23; in CSI: Cyber as FBI agent Elijah Mundo; and as Matt Bromley in the first season of the FX drama Pose.
His film credits included Varsity Blues and The Rules of Attraction.
Source: Press Association, Reuters
