James Van Der Beek Dead At 48 — What He Wanted People To Know About Colorectal Cancer
James Van Der Beek, who first rose to fame in the teen drama "Dawson's Creek" as the titular character Dawson Leery, has died at the age of 48.
In an announcement of his death posted to Instagram on February 11, 2026, his wife, Kimberly, wrote, "He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity, and the sacredness of time."
The actor first revealed his diagnosis with stage 3 colorectal cancer in early November 2024. "Please know that my family and I deeply appreciate all the love and support," he told his Instagram followers at the time.
Van Der Beek's last public sightings including an appearance via Zoom for the "Dawson's Creek" reunion in September of last year as well as a December interview with "Today," in which he shared how "crushed" he was that he couldn't be at the reunion in person due to being "hit with some stomach bugs" (via Variety). Another topic he discussed was the importance of early detection when it comes to colorectal cancer.
Van Der Beek was a strong proponent of colorectal cancer screening
During his final interview, Van Der Beek stated that he first got diagnosed in 2023 because he felt that something was "off," even though the changes that he had experienced in his bowel movements didn't seem particularly worrying at the time. However, after having a colonoscopy, he learned that he had stage 3 colon cancer. As a result, after going public with the news in November 2024, he began to speak out about the importance of early screening, even if you don't have any concerning symptoms (via People).
The MD Anderson Cancer Center explains that the signs of colorectal cancer can include changes in bowel habits like Van Der Beek had. You might also experience bloating, rectal bleeding, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss. They additionally stress that regular screenings are essential in order to catch the disease early when treatment is most effective. The American Cancer Society recommends beginning screening at the age of 45. Your doctor can advise you whether a colonoscopy or a stool-based test is best for you.