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James Van Der Beek, best known for playing the awkward and geeky titular character in the beloved coming-of-age series Dawson's Creek, has passed away at age 48.
His family shared the sad news on the actor's Instagram page, saying "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."
The actor was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer, which he shared publicly in November 2024. Since then, he has shared openly about his what battling the disease has taught, and the important of family, faith, and hope.
Since Dawson's Creek ended in 2003, Van Der Beek has appeared in a string of film roles in Varsity Blues, Rules Of Attraction, and TV appearances on CSI: Cyber, One Tree Hill, How I Met Your Mother, among others.
In September of last year, former castmates led by Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes, and Joshua Jackson came together for One Day At The Creek. The sold-out event was for the benefit of the actor, and the F Cancer foundation, organized by Williams, featured a cast reading of the Dawson's Creek pilot. Van Der Beek himself could not make it to the event, but had Lin-Manuel Miranda step in as his "ridiculously overqualified replacement who would have been #1 on my wishlist" understudy to read his parts. The actor did make an appearance by way of a video.
Tributes have been pouring in all over social media from celebrities who have worked with Van Der Beek. Busy Philipps, who worked with him for two seasons of the teen drama posted "James Van Der Beek was one in a billion and he will be forever missed...i am just so so sad. He was my friend and I loved him and i’m so grateful for our friendship all these years."
James Van Der Beek leaves behind his wife Kimberly, and his six children.
