Farewell to James Van Der Beek, Dawson of Dawson's Creek

James Van Der Beek, iconic face of television and unforgettable star of Dawson’s Creek, died Wednesday in Austin, Texas, at just 48 years old. The actor had been battling colon-rectal cancer for more than two years, diagnosed in August 2023 and made public in November 2024. News of his passing immediately sparked condolences in the entertainment world and among the millions of fans who had followed him since his early days, turning him into a pop culture symbol of the late 1990s.

After a long career in the theater, Van Der Beek reached the peak of his TV career when he landed the role of Dawson Leery for the series Dawson’s Creek, which launched in 1998 and soon became a cult phenomenon in Italy as well. International success was further certified by a series of individual awards for his work on TV and several appearances in film productions, coming several times to play himself given his great fame.

Van Der Beek was married first to actress Heather McComb, from 2003 to 2009, then to Kimberly Brook since 2010, with whom he had six children. In 2020 the’entire family had left Los Angeles and moved to Texas, seeking a quieter life away from the spotlight.

The disease, diagnosed in 2023, had deeply marked the actor’s last years. After going public with his condition in 2024, Van Der Beek had continued to work and participate in television projects, and in November 2025 he announced a charity auction of his Dawson’s Creek and Varsity Blues memorabilia to support the cost of treatment.

The actor’s life was a living memory.

Until last he had maintained a direct relationship with fans, sharing messages of gratitude and hope.