‘Dawson’ Star James Van Der Beek Dies at 48 of Cancer

He was only 48 years old. James Van Der Beek, star of the 1990s and early 2000s drama series “Dawson,” died Wednesday at the age of 48, his wife announced.

“He faced his final days with courage, faith and dignity,” Kimberly Van Der Beek said on Instagram. And the star’s wife added: “There is so much to say about his wishes, his love of humanity and his conception of the sacred character of time. Those days will come again. »

In early November 2024, James Van Der Beek announced that he had been diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer, which develops in the colon or rectum.

A checkered career

Son of a former professional baseball player of Dutch origin and a Broadway dancer, James Van der Beek began acting very early. He auditioned at the age of 16 and landed his first film role in the comedy-drama “Angus” at 17.

The young actor revealed himself three years later by playing the romantic teenager Dawson Leery, main character in the cult 1990s series “Dawson”. Thanks to the international success of the first seasons, he became a star alongside his co-actors Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams and Joshua Jackson.

Struggling to establish himself on the big screen after the end of the sixth and final season of “Dawson” in 2003, James Van der Beek made a series of second-rate films. He also made a few appearances in the hit series “How I Met Your Mother”.

He returned to success in 2013 by appearing in the melodrama “Last Days of Summer” with Kate Blanchett. He then continued his discreet career with roles in numerous series and a few moderately successful films.

He leaves behind six children aged between 4 and 15 years old.