Actor James Van Der Beek, best known for his roles in the teen drama "Dawson's Creek" and the film "Varsity Blues," died at the age of 48, according to a statement posted on his Instagram page on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. The announcement came after Van Der Beek's public disclosure of a colorectal cancer diagnosis in November 2024.
The statement on Van Der Beek's Instagram, which was shared by his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, requested privacy for the family as they grieved the loss of "our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend." The post also mentioned that there was "much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time," but that those details would be released later.
Van Der Beek's career spanned several decades and included roles that resonated with the high school teen spirit, including his portrayal of Dawson Leery in "Dawson's Creek" and Jonathon "Mox" Moxon in "Varsity Blues." He also appeared in "Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23" and "Rules of Attraction," adding to his impressive Hollywood resume, according to ABC News.
Prior to his death, Van Der Beek shared with Healthline in August that he initially experienced no glaring warning signs of his cancer. "I was healthy. I was doing the cold plunge," he said, according to Fox News.
In other news, actress Bijou Phillips was hospitalized in Los Angeles as she awaits a second kidney transplant. Phillips, who received her first kidney transplant in 2017, is currently undergoing dialysis at UCLA while awaiting a living donor, she wrote online, according to Fox News.
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