James Van Der Beek, the actor best known for playing Dawson Leery on the seminal teen drama Dawson’s Creek, has died at 48 after a battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer, his family announced. Van Der Beek passed away February 11, 2026 at his home in Austin, Texas, where he lived with his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their six children. His death followed more than two years of fighting cancer, a journey he shared candidly with fans.
Tributes from colleagues and friends have flowed across social media. Dawson’s Creek co-star Katie Holmes posted a handwritten letter remembering Van Der Beek’s “bravery, compassion, selflessness and strength,” expressing deep gratitude for their time together on and off screen. Busy Phillips, who worked with him on the series’ later seasons, called him “one in a billion” whose friendship she cherished. On Instagram, Reese Witherspoon – who is producing the actor’s final acting project, the Legally Blonde prequel “Elle” – said she was “devastated” by the loss, calling him an “extraordinary, talented man” and offering prayers for his family.
In the wake of his passing, friends and supporters launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the family’s financial needs after years of medical bills. The fundraiser has raised more than $2 million in just days, with contributions from celebrities including Steven Spielberg, Zoe Saldaña and Derek Hough. Organizers said the funds are intended to assist Kimberly and the couple’s children with living expenses and education.
Van Der Beek became a household name in the late 1990s and early 2000s with roles in Dawson’s Creek and films such as Varsity Blues. He also appeared in How I Met Your Mother, Don’t Trust the B— in Apartment 23 and The Masked Singer, and will portray Dean Wilson in the upcoming series Elle. His brother Jared Van Der Beek shared an emotional tribute, calling his brother a lifelong role model whose love and wisdom shaped his life.
He is survived by his wife Kimberly and their children Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah.