James Van Der Beek Dead at 48
Published
February 11, 2026
11:26 AM PST
James Van Der Beek has died … TMZ has learned.
A rep for the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office says … it was reported to them at 6:44 AM. No cause of death was given.
James’ wife, Kimberley Van Der Beek, posted about his shortly after we broke the news … writing in a shared Instagram post, telling fans her husband “met his final days with courage, faith, and grace.” She asked for privacy for their family at this time.
The actor revealed he was battling stage 3 colorectal cancer in late 2024 … telling People he felt optimistic despite the difficult diagnosis.
Van Der Beek tried to do some good to help others who were facing similar battles just weeks after revealing his diagnosis … starring in a two-hour special of “The Real Full Monty” in December 2024 to raise awareness for prostate, testicular, and colorectal cancer testing and research.
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DECEMBER 2024
ABC
Van Der Beek got emotional while discussing his cancer battle on “Good Morning America” last year … especially when he mentioned everything his wife had done for him since he was diagnosed.
He was supposed to join his fellow “Dawson’s Creek” castmates in September, but he was forced to drop out of the reunion for health reasons. He ended up making a surprise virtual appearance … introducing Lin Manuel Miranda who read lines in his place.
James rose to prominence in the later 1990s as the titular character in “Dawsons” … though he later gained recognition for his roles in “Scary Movie,” “Varsity Blues” and “Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23.”
He also regularly grabbed recurring roles on many popular shows of the last two decades … like “How I Met Your Mother,” “One Tree Hill” and “Pose.”
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JANUARY 2020
TMZ.com
We last caught up with Van Der Beek outside the famous Egyptian Theater in Park City at Sundance 2020 … where we talked snowboarding and charity work with the veteran actor.
James is suvived by Kimberley and their six children: daughters Olivia, Annabel, Emilia and Gwendolyn, and sons Joshua and Jeremiah.
He was 48.
RIP
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