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James Van Der Beek, best known for portraying Dawson Leery in the 1990s teen drama Dawson’s Creek, has died at the age of 48 following a battle with cancer, his family has announced.
In a statement posted on Instagram, his family said Van Der Beek “passed peacefully this morning”.
“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. Those days will come.
“For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend,” the statement added.
The actor revealed in an interview with People magazine in November 2024 that he had been diagnosed with stage three colorectal cancer.
He said at the time that he had no family history of cancer and had been careful to look after his health.
Throughout his treatment, Van Der Beek spoke publicly about his experience, saying he hoped it would encourage others to talk to their doctors and seek testing.
He rose to international fame as the lead character in Dawson’s Creek, which ran from 1998 to 2003 and became one of the defining teen dramas of its era.
He later starred in films including Varsity Blues and The Rules of Attraction, and appeared in television series such as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, One Tree Hill and Ugly Betty.
He is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children.
**An earlier news alert for this article incorrectly stated that James Van Der Beek starred in ‘Dawon’s Creek’. He starred in Dawson’s Creek**
Additional reporting from Press Association
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