• Faith: Christian
• Career: Actor
• Birthday:  March 08, 1977
• Date of Death:  February 11, 2026

James Van Der Beek was an American actor best known for his role as Dawson Leery on the hit television drama Dawson’s Creek. Born on March 8, 1977, in Cheshire, Connecticut, he built a career spanning more than three decades in television and film. He died on February 11, 2026, at the age of 48, following a battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer.

Van Der Beek was raised in Cheshire, Connecticut, the eldest of three children. His mother, Melinda, was a former Broadway dancer and gymnastics teacher, and his father, James William Van Der Beek, was a cell phone company executive and former professional baseball pitcher. Encouraged by his mother’s background in the arts, he developed an early interest in acting. He performed in community theater as a child and made his professional stage debut at age 13 in an off-Broadway production. After graduating from Cheshire Academy, he briefly attended Drew University in New Jersey before leaving to pursue acting full time in New York City.

His breakout role came in 1998 when he was cast as Dawson Leery on the WB network drama Dawson’s Creek. The series ran for six seasons, from 1998 to 2003, and became one of the defining teen dramas of its era. The show launched him into national fame and established him as one of television’s recognizable young leading men.

While working on the series, Van Der Beek expanded into film. In 1999, he starred as quarterback Jon “Mox” Moxon in Varsity Blues, a high school football drama that gained a strong following. He later appeared in The Rules of Attraction and continued to take on a mix of dramatic and comedic roles. Over the next two decades, he appeared in more than 60 film and television projects.

After Dawson’s Creek, he worked steadily in television, including recurring and guest roles on series such as One Tree Hill and How I Met Your Mother. He also portrayed a fictionalized version of himself in the ABC comedy Don’t Trust the B---- in Apartment 23, showing a willingness to poke fun at his own public image. Later projects included film roles, voice work, and appearances in streaming productions, reflecting a career that adapted to a changing entertainment landscape.

Van Der Beek married actress Heather McComb in 2003; the couple divorced in 2010. Later that year, he married Kimberly Brook, now known as Kimberly Van Der Beek. Together they had six children: Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, and Jeremiah. Family life became central to his identity in later years. He frequently shared about fatherhood and spoke candidly about both its joys and its challenges. The couple also endured personal hardships, including pregnancy losses, which they addressed publicly with honesty and vulnerability.

In August 2023, Van Der Beek was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer. He initially kept the diagnosis private while undergoing treatment. In November 2024, he publicly disclosed his condition after learning that media outlets planned to report on it. He described focusing on treatment and improving his overall health while continuing to work when possible.

As his illness progressed, he acknowledged the physical toll it took, particularly in limiting his ability to be as active as he wanted with his wife and children. Medical treatments placed financial strain on the family, prompting him to sell autographed memorabilia to help offset costs. Despite health setbacks, he made select public appearances and participated virtually in a Dawson’s Creek reunion when he was unable to attend in person.

His family announced that he died peacefully on February 11, 2026. He was 48.

James Van Der Beek's Religious Beliefs

In later years, Van Der Beek spoke openly about the role faith played in his life. Raised in a Christian home, he described seasons of questioning and spiritual growth throughout adulthood. Following personal trials, including family losses and his cancer diagnosis, he expressed a renewed commitment to his Christian beliefs. His family said he faced his final days with “courage, faith, and grace,” and those close to him noted that prayer and reflection shaped his outlook during his illness.