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The actor’s family also confirmed the news by posting a statement on his social media accounts, including Instagram. “Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace.”
The television star was diagnosed with the disease in the latter half of 2023. However, he didn’t publicly share the news until November 2024.
Van Der Beek told People magazine in 2024 that he was “feeling good” despite the diagnosis. He didn’t provide any other details about his illness at the time, including what treatment he was receiving. But he said he was “taking steps to resolve it.”
The actor revealed his lowest point in treatment was feeling like he was losing core parts of his identity.
“All these beautiful things that I love, and I used to define myself as – a father, a provider, a husband – all that got taken away, or at least paused,” Van Der Beek said. “I had to sit there and say, ‘Well, what am I?’ And it was, ‘I’m still worthy of love.'”
Following his diagnosis, the actor spent time raising awareness about screening for cancer. “I’ve learned a lot,” he told Business Insider. “If I can save anyone from having to go through this, that’s magic.”
James Van Der Beek was born in 1977 in Cheshire, Connecticut. He was the eldest of three children. His interest in acting began when he was in middle school. As a teen, he then asked his parents to be brought to New York City to get an agent and audition for roles.
Soon after, the performer joined the cast of the off-Broadway play, Finding the Sun. More project followed, including the role of Rick Sanford in the 1995 coming-of-age comedy, Angus, which marked his feature film acting debut. He then took on a small role in the following year’s romantic drama, I Love You, I Love You Not, alongside Claire Danes.
Besides Dawson’s Creek, which ran from 1998 to 2003 on The WB, Van Der Beek also starred on several other popular television shows throughout his career. Those series include a fictionalized version of himself on Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23, as well as roles on CSI: Cyber and Pose. He also competed on the 28th US season of Dancing with the Stars, as well.
The actor’s notable film roles include high school football player Jonathan “Mox” Moxon in the 1999 coming-of-age teen sports dramedy, Varsity Blues. The film went on to obtain cult classic status. He also won the MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Male Performance latter that year.
Van Der Beek also starred in the 2002 cult classic black dramedy, The Rules of Attraction. In the film, he played Sean Bateman, the younger brother of Patrick Bateman. Christian Bale played the latter character in American Psycho. The Rules of Attraction is based on author Bret Easton Ellis’ 1987 satirical novel of the same name.
Van Der Beek continued working through his diagnosis. Earlier this year, he guest starred in Prime Video college comedy, Overcompensating.
The actor also made a surprise virtual appearance at a Dawson’s Creek reunion charity event on September 22. He was unable to attend the live event due to having two stomach viruses.
Several of Van Der Beek’s co-stars from the show, including Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson and Busy Philipps, performed a live table reading of the series’ pilot episode from 1998. Lin-Manuel Miranda joined them, standing in for Van Der Beek.
The event raised money for charity F Cancer. The rest of the cast also paid tribute to their castmate during the reunion.
More than a decade before his diagnosis, Van Der Beek married his second wife, Kimberly Brook, in 2010. They had six children together.
At the time of his death, Kimberly shared a GoFundMe campaign through their representatives and on social media. She shared with the public the financial strain their family has faced since her husband’s illness began. In November of last year, the actor also began auctioning items from his career to help pay for treatment.
“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 campaign summary stated. “The support of friends, family, and the wider community will make a world of difference as they navigate the road ahead.”
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