“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” said a Wednesday post on the actor’s Instagram account.
Van Der Beek, 48, was most well-known for his role as Dawson Leery on the WB show “Dawson’s Creek” from 1998 to 2003. It was a defining show for teens of its era.
He went on to appear in the sitcom “Don’t Trust the B***h in Apartment 23” as a fictional version of himself, and other projects. With wife Kimberly Van Der Beek, he had six children.
In 2024, Van Der Beek first shared that he had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer exclusively with People magazine. That year, research showed that cases of this type of cancer were increasing across the country.
“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,” said the Instagram post. “Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”
An outpouring of supportive comments came in within minutes of the message being posted.
“I’m so sad for your beautiful family,” said Sarah Michelle Gellar, who also rose to fame on the WB with “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” during the same era that Van Der Beek played Dawson. “While James’ legacy will always live on, this is a huge loss to not just your family but the world. F**k Cancer.”