James Van Der Beek, the actor who rose to fame as Dawson Leery on Dawson’s Creek and later appeared on As the World Turns, has died at 48. His wife, Kimberly, confirmed the news in a heartfelt Instagram post, sharing that he passed peacefully after battling colorectal cancer. From his breakout role on The WB’s defining teen drama to cult-favorite films like Varsity Blues and The Rules of Attraction, Van Der Beek became one of the most recognizable faces of late-’90s pop culture, leaving behind a decades-long career that stretched across television, film, and theater.
James Van Der Beek, best known for his role on the primetime teen drama, Dawson’s Creek, has died at the age of 48. The actor was also briefly on As The World Turns as Stephen Anderson in 1995. The actor’s wife, Kimberly, posted the somber news on Instagram, writing, “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.”
From Theater Prodigy to Teen Drama Icon
Born March 8, 1977, in Cheshire, Connecticut, Van Der Beek began acting at 16. His professional debut came off-Broadway in Edward Albee’s Finding the Sun, directed by the legendary playwright himself. Years later, after becoming a television star, Van Der Beek would often say he was “a theater kid” at heart.
That foundation led to his breakout moment in 1997 when he was cast as Dawson Leery on Kevin Williamson’s WB drama Dawson’s Creek.
In 1995, early in his acting journey, he appeared on the CBS soap opera As the World Turns, playing Stephen Anderson, the son of Kirk Anderson (portrayed by Tom Wiggin). It was one of his first professional screen roles.
Just three years later, Van Der Beek’s career skyrocketed when he landed the role of Dawson Leery on the WB’s hit primetime drama Dawson’s Creek. The series became a cultural phenomenon, turning the young actor into a household name.
When the series premiered in January 1998, it delivered the highest ratings in The WB’s history. The show quickly became a cultural phenomenon, ranking as the top program among teenage girls and turning its young cast — Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, and Michelle Williams — into household names.
Van Der Beek once shared that part of his inspiration for playing Dawson came from The Phantom of the Opera, shaping the character’s romantic and dramatic sensibility. Dawson’s Creek ran from 1998 to 2003 and was syndicated worldwide. In 2020, Netflix introduced the beloved teen drama to a new generation of viewers, reigniting nostalgia and expanding its fan base.
