James Van Der Beek, the actor who became a defining face of late-1990s television through his starring role in “Dawson’s Creek,” passed away on Wednesday at the age of 48 after fighting colorectal cancer.

His family announced the news on Instagram, stating, “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.”

The colorectal cancer diagnosis of Van Der Beek happened in 2023 and he announced his stage 3 diagnosis to the public in November 2024. He continued his professional work and cancer awareness activities throughout his entire life despite experiencing health problems.

The Connecticut-born actor achieved breakthrough success in 1998 when he was cast as Dawson Leery the sensitive film-obsessed teenager at the centre of Dawson’s Creek. The WB series launched the careers of Van Der Beek and his co-stars Katie Holmes Joshua Jackson and Michelle Williams during its six-season run which ended in 2003.

Van Der Beek appeared in the 1999 football drama “Varsity Blues” during the show which lasted until 2003. He played quarterback Jon Moxon in a role that earned him an MTV Movie Award. He later appeared in “The Rules of Attraction” and played a self-parodying version of himself in the cult ABC sitcom “Don t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23”.

The cast of Van Der Beek’s “Dawson’s Creek” reunited in September for a script reading which raised funds to cover his medical expenses. He appeared at the event through a video message because his health prevented him from attending.

Van Der Beek is survived by his wife Kimberly and their six children. His family started a GoFundMe campaign after his passing because they faced financial difficulties from his medical expenses.

The Hollywood community including Sarah Michelle Gellar and Chad Michael Murray paid tribute to Van Der Beek. Murray called Van Der Beek a humanitarian who inspired everyone.