Skip to main content

James Van Der Beek, star of Dawson’s Creek, dies aged 48 after cancer diagnosis

 

James Van Der Beek, best known for his starring role in ’90s teen drama Dawson’s Creek, has died at the age of 48.

The star revealed in November 2024, while preparing to appear on US charity TV special The Real Full Monty, that he had been diagnosed with bowel cancer.

A statement published on Van Der Beek’s Instagram page on Wednesday, February 11 reads:

“Our beloved James David 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.”

One year on from revealing his tragic diagnosis, Van Der Beek announced that he would be auctioning off memorabilia and various “treasures” he had assimilated from his time in TV and film in order to fund his cancer treatment.


A GoFundMe page established to support the actor’s family said: “Throughout his illness, the family faced not only emotional challenges but also significant financial strain as they did everything possible to support James and provide for his care.”

Van Der Beek shot to fame in 1998 through his role as Dawson Leery in the wildly popular Dawson’s Creek. That same year, he was voted one of People Magazine’s Most Beautiful People in the World.

“Twenty-five years ago today, my life changed,” the actor wrote on the 25th anniversary of the show’s start.

“Not gradually, not day-by-day … instantly. It was the culmination of five years of auditioning, hundreds of hours on stage, thousands of hours travelling, preparing, dreaming, hoping, hearing ‘no’ and making up reasons to keep going. But the shift was overnight.”

Van Der Beek is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and the couple’s six children, Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah.

Following the actor’s passing, Kimberly published a link to the aforementioned GoFundMe page, seeking to raise $500,000 to help the family deal with the financial burden of his medical costs.

“In the wake of this loss, Kimberly and the children are facing an uncertain future,” the GoFundMe page states.

“The costs of James’s medical care and the extended fight against cancer have left the family out of funds. They are working hard to stay in their home and to ensure the children can continue their education and maintain some stability during this incredibly difficult time. The support of friends, family, and the wider community will make a world of difference as they navigate the road ahead.”

Rest in peace, James Van Der Beek.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Common back-pain drug may be linked to higher dementia risk, large study finds

  A pain medication that millions of Americans rely on for chronic back pain may come with a hidden risk: a significantly higher chance of developing dementia or other cognitive problems, according to a major new study. Compared 26,000 adults Researchers from Case Western Reserve University and several partner institutions analyzed medical records from 68 health systems across the U.S., comparing 26,414 adults prescribed gabapentin for persistent low-back pain with a matched group who had similar pain — but didn’t take the drug. Their finding was sobering: Adults who received six or more gabapentin prescriptions were 29% more likely to be diagnosed with dementia and 85% more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment (MCI) within 10 years. The risk wasn’t limited to older adults. In fact, it was younger Americans who saw the most dramatic increases. Younger adults saw shocking risk increases For people normally considered decades away from dementia: Ages 35–49 taking gabapentin ha...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why bathing too much can harm your skin and health

  After a long day, there’s something incredibly soothing about stepping into a warm shower, letting the water wash away your fatigue. But what if your beloved soaks are causing more harm than good? According to growing research and expert opinion, bathing too often could actually “be bad for your health,” messing with your immune system, and even putting stress on your body’s natural ability to regulate temperature. It turns out, that squeaky-clean feeling may come at a cost. Natural oils The human skin isn’t just a passive layer of tissue – it’s your body’s largest organ and one of its smartest. It produces natural oils to keep itself moisturized and forms a barrier of good bacteria to fend off harmful invaders. But when you shower too frequently, especially with hot water and harsh soaps, you strip away these essential oils. The result isn’t just dryness – it’s often a cycle of itching, redness, flaking, and irritation. “Normal skin has a protective layer of oil and a balance of...
Post a Comment
Read more

Kid Rock mocked as fans all make same complaint during All-American halftime show

  The Seattle Seahawks may have handled business on the field, beating the New England Patriots 29–13 at Levi’s Stadium, but off the field, a very different showdown was unfolding. Led by Kid Rock This Super Bowl Sunday, America didn’t get one halftime show, it got two. While the NFL’s official halftime spotlight went to global sensation Bad Bunny, millions of viewers switched over to Turning Point USA’s rival “All-American Halftime Show”. Kid Rock, 55, closed out the conservative-backed livestream after performances from Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett. The event was billed as a cultural alternative to the NFL’s mainstage spectacle. But within seconds of taking the stage, viewers began pointing out the same issue. Many accused the rocker of lip-syncing. “Nice lip syncing,” one viewer wrote. “Did Kid Rock just badly lip sync through his song? Or was my stream messed up?” another asked. “So was that a bad lip sync job by Kid Rock? Or was my stream messed up? Thank you...
Post a Comment
Read more