James Van Der Beek, the American actor best known for starring in the 1990s teen drama Dawson’s Creek, has died at the age of 48 after a battle with stage three colorectal cancer. It was an illness he said transformed his faith.
His family confirmed he passed away on Wednesday, saying he faced his final days "with courage, faith and grace".
In a December 2025 interview on NBC’s Today Show, Van Der Beek recalled going into shock when he first heard the words, “It is cancer.” Yet almost immediately, he sensed a spiritual shift.
“I thought, this is going to be the best thing that ever happened to me,” he said. “I had this little voice in my head that said, you're going to make changes in your life that you would never, ever make if you don't have this extreme of a diagnosis and it's going to add healthy, happy years to your life.”
When asked what kind of changes he made, the actor said he slowed down and was more conscious about what he ate, but most of all he changed how he viewed the love of God and his relationship with God.
“Before cancer, God was something I tried to fit into my life as much as possible,” he said. “After cancer, I feel like a connection to God, whatever that is, is kind of the whole point of this exercise on this planet.”
The actor, who lived on a ranch in Texas with his wife, Kim, and their six children, said the outpouring of prayer and encouragement from fans strengthened him throughout treatment.
“Every time somebody says, ‘I’m praying for you,’ I appreciate it,” he said, adding that he believed people truly feel the power of collective prayer.
Despite ongoing treatment, he continued working and urged others to prioritise screening.
Fans and fellow actors shared tributes on social media, recalling the influence he had on their lives and careers.
"While James’ legacy will always live on, this is a huge loss to not just your family but the world," Sarah Michelle Gellar wrote on social media.
A GoFundMe was launched to raise $500,000 (£365,000) to help support Van Der Beek's widow and six children. It has raised more than $200,000 (£146,000) less than an hour after being launched.
