James Van Der Beek dead at 48 after colorectal cancer battle

James Van Der Beek, the beloved “Dawson’s Creek” actor, has died after battling colorectal cancer. He was 48.

“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, shared via a joint Instagram statement Wednesday.

“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 actor and father of six had been quietly battling stage 3 cancer since August 2023.

However, in November 2024, he told People magazine that he was forced to reveal his diagnosis after learning “a tabloid was going to run with the news.”

“I’ve been dealing with this privately until now, getting treatment and dialing in my overall health with greater focus than ever before,” Van Der Beek added in a statement to the magazine at the time.

“I’m in a good place and feeling strong. It’s been quite the initiation, and I’ll tell you more when I’m ready.”

Colorectal cancer — also known as colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where it starts — has an overall five-year survival rate of 64 percent, but it varies by stage, according to medical experts.

Shortly after opening up about his health struggles, Van Der Beek put on a brave face by attending the red carpet premiere of Tubi’s “Sidelined: The QB And Me.”

However, he soon after confessed that cancer treatment had put a financial strain on his family and began selling autographed “Varsity Blues” merch to help fund his care.

Throughout his journey, Van Der Beek leaned on his wife, Kimberly — with whom he shared Olivia, 14, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 11, Emilia, 8, Gwendolyn, 6, and Jeremiah, 3 — for support.

In March, on his 48th birthday, he admitted he “could no longer be the husband that was helpful to [his] wife” and “could no longer be a father, who could pick up his kids and put them and be there for them.”

A few months later, James sparked concern when he dropped out of a pre-scheduled “Dawson’s Creek” reunion due to dealing with two stomach viruses amid his cancer battle.

However, he surprised the audience by appearing virtually at the event.

“I can’t believe I’m not there,” the TV star told attendees in New York City. “I can’t believe I don’t get to see my … beautiful cast in person.”

James rose to fame in the late ’90s as the titular character, Dawson Leery, in “Dawson’s Creek” alongside co-stars Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, Michelle Williams, Busy Philipps and more.

He then went on to star in movies such as “Varsity Blues” and “The Rules of Attraction,” and appeared in more than 60 films and TV projects over his career.