Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Screen & Stage • Actor

James Van Der Beek

James Van Der Beek was an American actor best known for playing Dawson Leery on the television series Dawson's Creek.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

He died in 2026 at age 48 after battling cancer.

Early life and breakthrough

Born in Cheshire, Connecticut, in 1977, Van Der Beek began acting as a teenager. He attended Drew University before landing his breakthrough role as Dawson Leery on Dawson's Creek (1998–2003), which made him a household name.

Film and television career

Beyond Dawson's Creek, he appeared in films such as Varsity Blues (1999), The Rules of Attraction (2002), and Labor Day (2013). On television, he had roles in CSI: Cyber, Pose, and Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23, among others.

Personal life and death

Van Der Beek married Kimberly Van Der Beek in 2010, and they had six children. He died in Austin, Texas, on February 11, 2026, at age 48 after a battle with cancer.

In short

  • Known for playing Dawson Leery in Dawson's Creek (1998–2003).
  • Appeared in films such as Varsity Blues, The Rules of Attraction, and Labor Day.
  • Had television roles in CSI: Cyber, Pose, and other series.
  • Died at age 48 in 2026 after battling cancer.
Canadian angle

James Van Der Beek was widely known to Canadian audiences through Dawson's Creek and later television appearances that aired in Canada.

Quick questions

Who is James Van Der Beek?
James Van Der Beek was an American actor best known for playing Dawson Leery on Dawson's Creek.
What is James Van Der Beek known for?
He is best known for Dawson's Creek, and also for roles in films such as Varsity Blues and The Rules of Attraction.
What happened to James Van Der Beek?
He died on February 11, 2026, after battling cancer.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Van_Der_Beek
    Supports: Birth name, birth/death dates, known-for roles, selected filmography, and television credits.
  2. The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/feb/12/james-van-der-beek-obituary
    Supports: Death, age at death, cancer, and major career roles.
  3. The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/arts/television/james-van-der-beek-photos.html
    Supports: Death notice, age at death, Dawson's Creek recognition, and selected screen credits.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004735/bio/
    Supports: Biographical details, birth date, and career overview.
  5. Us Weekly — https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrities/james-van-der-beek/
    Supports: Marriage to Kimberly Van Der Beek and broad career summary.