Actor James Van Der Beek dies at age 48 after being diagnosed with colorectal cancer
The actor, known for his roles in “Dawson’s Creek” and “Varsity Blues,” was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in 2023.
James Van Der Beek was an open book when it came to the realities of battling cancer.
The “Dawson’s Creek” star passed away on Wednesday, February 11, after being diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2023. He passed away at the age of 48. The news was shared in a statement published on the actor’s Instagram page, which said he “met his final days with courage, faith and grace.”
Since announcing her diagnosis, Van Der Beek has spoken out about her battle with cancer in numerous interviews and television appearances, saying she hopes her story will inspire others to get tested.
Van der Beek first revealed to People magazine in November 2024 that he had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer in August of the previous year. The actor says:
James Van Der Beek ‘in shock’ after cancer diagnosis
“I think it was a little bit of a shock,” he recalled in a 2024 interview with People magazine, adding, “There was a part of me that wanted to break down and fall apart, but then a more logical part of me came in and said, ‘Well, I just don’t have the information yet.'”
The next morning, he said, “It really hit home that I was going through a process that I hadn’t expected,” and “that’s how the full-time job of living with cancer began.”
Van der Beek went on to tell People that “90% of the time,” she highlighted the fact that the diagnosis led to lifestyle changes, saying, “I’m going to look back in a year, five years, 30 years and say, ‘Thank God it happened,'” but “10% of the time, I was sobbing, scared and confused.”
James Van Der Beek hoped his cancer diagnosis would help others
The following month, Van Der Beek told “Good Morning America” that her diagnosis initially felt like a “nightmare” and that she “had a hard time waking up.” But he explained why he hopes being open about it can help and encourage others to get tested for cancer.
“I’ve been in the public eye my whole life, and the moment this happened, I thought, ‘There has to be a purpose to this. I think by sharing this, I can do some good,'” he said, adding, “This year has been amazing and cathartic, but it’s been really tough. So if I can spare anyone what I went through last year, I definitely would.”
James Van Der Beek appreciated ‘every moment’ after diagnosis
Van der Beek spoke further about this goal in an appearance on the Today show in July 2025, saying he “wanted to get the word out” that “you don’t have to have really obvious symptoms to get tested.” Before his own diagnosis, he said he didn’t have any symptoms that made him “rush” to get tested.
“I’m thinking about things a little more slowly now,” he said on the show. “…Just take your time and appreciate every moment.”
James Van Der Beek’s diagnosis sparked awareness about the importance of self-love
In an interview with USA TODAY published in August 2025, the Varsity Blues star said his battle with cancer forced him to “reflect on my death and decide what was important” and made him realize “how negative my self-talk was.”
“During treatment, I realized how much negative self-talk I was having in the silence, away from the beautiful cacophony of 36 acres, five dogs, a bearded dragon, and the beautiful chaos that is my life,” he said. “So that started this whole journey of realizing how important self-love is, how necessary it is, and how easy it is.”
James Van Der Beek reflects on missing ‘Dawson’s Creek’ reunion amid cancer battle
In September, Van Der Beek was unable to attend the “Dawson’s Creek” reunion event in New York City, but sent a message remotely saying, “I’ve been looking forward to this night for months and months,” and “I can’t believe I’m not there.”
The actor later revealed on the Today show in December that he missed the event because he was battling a stomach virus, which was unrelated to his cancer. “I lost a lot of weight because of the stomach virus,” he said.
James Van Der Beek says cancer diagnosis has increased his ‘connection to God’
In a December update on the Today show, Van Der Beek said she was “feeling a little bit better every month,” but that fighting cancer required “more strength than I thought.”
“I knew I was strong,” he said. “I didn’t know you were this strong.”
On the show, Van Der Beek reflected on how his battle with cancer led him on a “journey of self-love,” becoming more present and closer to God. “What I realized is that I’m still worthy of being loved,” he said. “My own love. God’s love.”
He continued, “Before cancer, I was trying to apply God to my life as much as possible. Since cancer, I feel like this connection to God, whatever that is, is the whole point of this training here on earth.”
Contributor: Charles Trepany
