By JESSICA THOMAS
NEW YORK (AP) — The entertainment industry is mourning the loss of James Van Der Beek, a beloved heartthrob known for his roles in coming-of-age dramas at the turn of the century. Van Der Beek rose to fame by portraying the lead character in “Dawson’s Creek” and later embraced his iconic image with humor. He passed away at the age of 48.
“Our dear James David Van Der Beek peacefully departed this morning. He faced his final days with bravery, faith, and dignity. There is much to be shared about his legacy, his love for humanity, and the value of time. Those stories will be told in due time,” a statement from the actor’s family posted on Instagram read. “For now, we ask for privacy as we mourn the loss of our beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”
In 2024, Van Der Beek disclosed that he was undergoing treatment for colorectal cancer.
Van Der Beek surprised fans with a video appearance at a “Dawson’s Creek” reunion charity event in New York City in September, despite initially withdrawing due to illness.
He made a virtual appearance at the Richard Rodgers Theatre during a live reading of the show’s pilot episode to support F Cancer and Van Der Beek. Lin-Manuel Miranda filled in for him on stage. “Thank you to everyone gathered here,” Van Der Beek expressed.
Forever Remembered Through ‘Dawson’s Creek’
From a young theater enthusiast, Van Der Beek transitioned to starring in the film “Varsity Blues” and the TV series “CSI: Cyber” as FBI Special Agent Elijah Mundo. However, his association with “Dawson’s Creek,” which aired from 1998 to 2003 on The WB, remained his most enduring connection.
The show followed a group of high school friends navigating love, friendship, and life challenges. Van Der Beek, then 20, portrayed 15-year-old Dawson Leery, a character with aspirations of becoming a Spielberg-caliber director.
“Dawson’s Creek,” featuring Paula Cole’s poignant theme song “I Don’t Want To Wait,” became a cultural touchstone for teens and young adults, known for its articulate dialogue and candid discussions about relationships and sexuality. The show catapulted Van Der Beek, alongside Joshua Jackson, Katie Holmes, and Michelle Williams, into stardom.
Van Der Beek grappled with breaking free from the show’s shadow but eventually embraced self-mockery through platforms like Funny Or Die and Kesha’s “Blow” music video, where he engaged in a whimsical laser gun battle with the pop singer in a nightclub setting.
“It’s challenging to escape the shadow of a cultural phenomenon like ‘Dawson’s Creek,'” he shared with Vulture in 2013. “The show ran for so long, and that’s a lot of hours spent portraying one character in front of audiences. It’s natural for them to associate you with that role.”
A Memorable GIF and ‘Varsity Blues’
Years after “Dawson’s Creek” ended, a scene from the show’s third season became an iconic GIF. Dawson’s emotional reaction to witnessing his soulmate’s romance with his best friend, resulting in tears, became a widely circulated clip.
“The tears weren’t scripted; it was a spontaneous moment of magic that unfolded during the scene,” Van Der Beek explained to Vanity Fair. Reflecting on the viral GIF, he expressed frustration to the Los Angeles Times, stating, “Six years of work distilled into a seven-second loop.” (Van Der Beek playfully recreated the GIF in 2011 for Funny or Die, giving it a new lease on life.)
While still on “Dawson’s Creek,” Van Der Beek hosted “Saturday Night Live” alongside musical guest Everlast and landed a prominent role in “Varsity Blues,” portraying a backup high school quarterback thrust into the spotlight after the star player’s injury.
Mox, Van Der Beek’s character, defies stereotypical jock expectations, preferring literature by Kurt Vonnegut and yearning for higher education to escape his small-town sports-centric environment. Critic Roger Ebert commended his performance as “convincing and endearing.”
Life Beyond ‘Dawson’s Creek’
Post-“Dawson’s Creek,” Van Der Beek ventured into diverse projects, including co-creating and portraying Wesley “Diplo” Pentz, a mundane yet endearing music producer in the mockumentary satire “What Would Diplo Do?” on Viceland. In 2019, he reached the semifinals of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” and played a balding, out-of-shape ex-boyfriend on “How I Met Your Mother.”
“The more you embrace self-deprecation and avoid seeking validation, the more respect you seem to garner,” he shared with Vanity Fair in 2011. “I’ve always felt like a comedian trapped in a leading man’s body.”
Between 2003 and 2013, he made guest appearances on shows like “Criminal Minds,” “One Tree Hill,” and “How I Met Your Mother.” He portrayed a quirky version of himself in the Krysten Ritter-led ABC series “Don’t Trust the B— in Apartment 23,” as well as in the short-lived “CSI” spinoff “CSI: Cyber” and CBS’ “Friends With Better Lives.”
His filmography includes roles in films such as Kevin Smith’s 2001 comedy “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” and its 2019 sequel, “Jay and Silent Bob Reboot.” He also starred in the Bret Easton Ellis adaptation of “The Rules of Attraction” in 2002 alongside Jessica Biel and Kate Bosworth.
In 2025, he was unveiled as Griffin on “The Masked Singer,” delivering performances of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” and “I Had Some Help” by Post Malone and Morgan Wallen.
Early Years in Theater
Hailing from Cheshire, Connecticut, Van Der Beek’s acting journey commenced at age 13 following a football injury that sidelined him for a year. He landed the role of Danny Zuko in his school’s production of “Grease.”
He pursued theater, securing an off-Broadway role in Edward Albee’s “Finding the Sun” at 16 in 1994 and portraying one of the sons in a revival of “Shenandoah” at the distinguished Goodspeed Opera House in his home state.
Van Der Beek received a scholarship to Drew University in New Jersey but departed early upon landing the role in “Dawson’s Creek.” In 2024, he returned to the university to accept an honorary degree for his “dedicated service and exceptional commitment to Drew’s mission,” according to the university.
Drew University President Hilary Link welcomed Van Der Beek with a memorable quote from his “Dawson’s Creek” character: “Edge is fleeting, but heart lasts forever. Today, we honor that enduring heart.”
He is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children: Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, and Jeremiah.
AP Music Writer Maria Sherman contributed to this article.
