James Van Der Beek, known for his portrayal of Dawson Leery on Dawson's Creek, has passed away after a long battle with cancer, his family said on Thursday. In a statement shared on Van Der Beek’s social media accounts, his family wrote, “Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. The actor emerged as a household name as Dawson Leery in the drama series Dawson’s Creek, which aired from 1998 to 2003. After gaining popularity with Dawson’s Creek and other early projects, Van Der Beek often took up roles where his characters would be self-conscious or comedic. Van Der Beek is survived by his wife Kimberly and their six children.

Source: The Telegraph February 12, 2026 06:22 UTC