James Van Der Beek, ‘Dawson’s Creek’ star who redefined teen TV, dies at 48

NEW YORK (JN) James Van Der Beek, the actor whose portrayal of idealistic teenager Dawson Leery helped define late-1990s youth television, has died at the age of 48. His family announced his death in a statement posted to Instagram, saying he “passed peacefully” after facing his final days “with courage, faith and grace.”

Van Der Beek disclosed in 2024 that he was undergoing treatment for colorectal cancer. In recent months, he had limited public appearances, though he surprised fans in September with a projected video message during a live charity reading of the “Dawson’s Creek” pilot episode in New York.

For a generation of viewers, Van Der Beek’s face became synonymous with The WB network’s rise as a destination for youth dramas. Yet over time, he also became known for playfully dismantling his own heartthrob image, turning self-parody into a second act that broadened his appeal.

Forever tied to ‘Dawson’s Creek’

“Dawson’s Creek,” which ran from 1998 to 2003, followed a group of high school friends navigating love, identity and friendship in the fictional town of Capeside, Massachusetts. With its reflective tone, emotionally articulate dialogue and candid treatment of teenage relationships, the show became a cultural touchstone.

Van Der Beek was 20 when he began playing 15-year-old Dawson Leery, an aspiring filmmaker modeled on Steven Spielberg. Alongside co-stars Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams and Joshua Jackson, he helped anchor a series that would shape youth-oriented television for years to come.

The show stirred debate for its frank approach to sexuality and relationships, including storylines that were considered bold for network television at the time. Later series such as “Euphoria” and “Sex Education” would echo its willingness to explore teenage emotional life with unusual directness.

Despite later film and television work, Van Der Beek often acknowledged that audiences primarily associated him with Dawson. “It’s tough to compete with something that was the cultural phenomenon that ‘Dawson’s Creek’ was,” he told Vulture in 2013.

A scene that became a lasting internet image

More than a decade after the show ended, a brief scene from the third season—Dawson tearfully watching his best friend and romantic interest begin a relationship—became one of the early internet’s most recognizable GIFs.

Van Der Beek later explained that the tears were unscripted. He recreated the moment in 2011 for a comedy sketch on Funny or Die, leaning into the joke that had reduced years of work to a looping clip. His willingness to laugh at himself became a hallmark of his later career.

That spirit also appeared in projects such as a cameo in Kesha’s “Blow” music video, where he took part in an absurd laser-gun battle in a nightclub setting, and in comedic roles that poked fun at his own image.

Beyond Capeside: film, television and satire

While still starring in “Dawson’s Creek,” Van Der Beek appeared in the 1999 football drama “Varsity Blues,” playing Mox, a reluctant quarterback who rejects the macho expectations of his Texas town. The line “I don’t want your life” became one of the film’s most quoted moments, and critic Roger Ebert described his performance as “convincing and likable.”

He later appeared in films including “The Rules of Attraction” and Kevin Smith’s “Jay and Silent Bob” comedies, and took on a range of television roles in series such as “Criminal Minds,” “One Tree Hill,” “How I Met Your Mother,” and the short-lived “CSI: Cyber.”

In the ABC comedy “Don’t Trust the B— in Apartment 23,” he played an exaggerated version of himself, embracing the absurdity of celebrity recognition. He co-created and starred in the Viceland mockumentary “What Would Diplo Do?” portraying a fictionalized version of the music producer.

Van Der Beek also competed on “Dancing with the Stars” in 2019, reaching the semifinals, and in 2025 appeared as the character Griffin on “The Masked Singer,” performing popular songs before being revealed.

Early life shaped by theater

Raised in Cheshire, Connecticut, Van Der Beek turned to acting at age 13 after a concussion from football sidelined him from sports. He performed in a school production of “Grease” and continued pursuing theater, landing roles in off-Broadway productions by age 16.

He attended Drew University in New Jersey on scholarship but left early after being cast in “Dawson’s Creek.” In 2024, he returned to campus to accept an honorary degree recognizing his service and career achievements.

University President Hilary Link quoted a line associated with his character: “Edge is fleeting, but heart lasts forever.”

Final public appearance and tributes

In September, Van Der Beek made a remote appearance during a charity reunion reading of the “Dawson’s Creek” pilot at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York. Lin-Manuel Miranda filled in for him onstage, while Van Der Beek addressed the audience by video, thanking supporters.

Following news of his death, fellow actors including Sarah Michelle Gellar, Katharine McPhee Foster, Jenna Dewan and Olivia Munn posted messages of condolence on social media, reflecting the affection he inspired across the industry.

Van Der Beek is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children: Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah.