Dawson, played by James Van Der Beek, was a rarity of his time: a boy who dared to feel

An icon of his generation

On Wednesday dead James Van Der Beek (1977–2026) was an American actor who rose to fame as a teen star in the series Dawson’s Creek.

His interpretation of the sensitive young man named Dawson Leery made him an icon of the late 1990s and early 2000s for a generation dreaming of love.

Dawson’s Creekin after Van Der Beek made a versatile career, especially in television. He had a central role in, among other things, the crime series CSI: Cyber. In wit Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23 – series he self-ironically played himself. Among the most recent roles, the supporting part was praised Overcompensatingin the series.

Van Der Beek announced in November 2024 that he had received a cancer diagnosis. “There is reason for optimism, and I’m doing well,” he told entertainment magazine People at that time.

Dawson’s Creek started the teen series boom

Dawson’s Creek was a major generational experience that contributed to the kind of television we watch now. The series, which lasted for six seasons, is considered to have started the boom in teen series and had a decisive influence on how the world of young people is presented on television.

The series depicted young people’s emotions, relationships and the search for identity in an exceptionally intelligent and analytical way at a time when TV drama rarely took young people seriously.

The series also offered young men an example of what masculinity can be like without being hard and hiding emotions. Dawson Leery, played by Van Der Beek, appeared as an empathetic character who respected his friends and the women of the series.

The series produced star actors

Series a group of star actors grew around him. Played Joey Potter Katie Holmes started a successful film and TV career after the series and later moved into directing.

Michelle Williamswho portrayed Jen Lindley, became one of the most respected actresses of her generation. His works include, among others Brokeback Mountain, Blue Valentine, My Week with Marilyn, Manchester by the Sea ja Shutter Island. Recently, he has gained fame in the acclaimed Disney+ Dying for Sex in the series.

Played Dawson’s friend Joshua Jackson continued his career on television, and was later seen in series, among other things Fringe and The Affair.

Jackson said in April 2025 that Van Der Beek’s diagnosis “brought the Dawson crew back together” and that they have stuck together ever since.

Expensive treatments led the family into problems

Van Der Beek lived in Texas with his wife Kimberlynn and with their six children. After the death of the family man, it has been revealed that his family has run into financial difficulties during cancer treatments.

The wife’s friends launched a GoFundMe campaign on Wednesday, which raised more than a million dollars in 12 hours.

The family’s biggest worries are apparently behind them, at least for now, but not all families in a similar situation are this happy. In the US, long-term cancer treatments are very expensive, and the loss of one parent’s ability to work takes a toll on income quickly.

How has the actor been remembered?

Dawson’s colleagues have remembered Van Der Beek on Facebook and in interviews. Who played Audrey Liddell of Bailuhenki in the series Busy Philipps wrote how heavy it feels to think about Kimberly and six children, who he said were the most important thing in James’ life.

Mary‑Margaret Humeswho played her mother in the series, recalled Van Der Beek fighting her illness with “quiet strength and dignity.”

Other stars of the series have also taken part in the grief. Played by rock band singer Charlie Todd Chad Michael Murray described his dead friend as a “giant” who inspired other people to be better. Sarah Michelle Gellar called him “one of the good guys” and Nikki Reed remembered her as a “beautiful soul”.

The disease took and gave

The illness stripped Van Der Beek of what he had built his identity on: work, everyday routines, and eventually his physical strength. He said that for the first time he had to ask who was without roles.

“I could no longer be the father who puts the kids to bed and be there for them. I couldn’t be the breadwinner because I wasn’t working,” he said in his Instagram video in 2025.

“If I’m just too thin, a weak person with cancer, then what’s left of me?”

Over time, however, the actor discovered that he was stronger than he had guessed. The illness taught him to slow down and stop for moments.

“Presence is the gift that cancer has given me,” he said.

Below are pictures from the actor’s career