Actor James Van Der Beek has died. He was 48.
Van Der Beek died Wednesday morning, Feb. 11, 2026. His family confirmed the death in a statement.
“He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,” the statement said. His wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, asked for privacy.
TV star with a lasting fan base
Many fans know him as Dawson Leery in “Dawson’s Creek”. The WB series made him a star in the late 1990s.
He also played a high school quarterback in “Varsity Blues”. The 1999 film remains a well-known sports drama.
He took on comic roles later. He played a version of himself on “Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23”.
He also guest-starred on shows like “Walker”. For more credits, see his IMDb profile.
Cancer fight and family life
Van Der Beek shared in 2024 that he had colorectal cancer. Later reports described it as stage 3.
He is survived by Kimberly and their six children. They are Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, and Jeremiah.
His brother, Jared Van Der Beek, posted a tribute after the death. Friends and co-workers also shared memories online.
How to learn more or help
Friends have set up a fundraiser to support the family. The GoFundMe page says it will help with bills and education.
You can find it here: Support for James Van Der Beek’s family.
Health experts stress screening for colorectal cancer. The CDC says most people should start screening at 45.
Read more from the CDC screening guide and the American Cancer Society.
The family’s statement was posted on Instagram. More coverage is available from People and Entertainment Weekly.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.