Actor James Van Der Beek, best known for his role on the 1990s drama serial Dawson’s Creek, has died aged 48.

His wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, confirmed the news in an Instagram post today.

“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” she said.

“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.”

The actor revealed he had Stage 3 colorectal cancer in November 2024, though he had received the diagnosis in late 2023, according to the BBC.

“I’ve been dealing with this privately until now, getting treatment and dialling in my overall health with greater focus than ever before,” Van der Beek said in a social media post last November.

“Please know that my family and I deeply appreciate all the love and support.”

The actor became of entertainment’s most recognisable faces in the late 1990s through the early 2000s for his memorable appearance in television and film.

He portrayed Dawson Leery on the hit The WB teen drama show Dawson’s Creek, which ran from 1998 to 2003.

“The little pilot we shot in that small town for that fledgling network aired, changed our lives and launched our careers,” he wrote in a social media post commemorating of the series’ 20th anniversary in 2018.

Dawson’s Creek co-star Chad Michael Murray paid tribute to the late actor, sending “love and light to your beautiful family”.

“James was a giant. We’re so so so sorry for what you’re going through. His words, art and humanity inspired all of us- he inspired us to be better in all ways,” he said.

Dancing with the Stars champion Emma Slater, who was paired with Van Der Beek in 2019 when he competed in season 28 of the show, shared an emotional tribute to her dance partner on Instagram.

Slater wrote, “I’m so devastated. He is and will always be family to me love you so much, James. The man that you are, you can be proud of. So grateful that I got to be there to say goodbye to you.”

More to come