James Van Der Beek, titular star of the iconic teen soap series Dawson’s Creek, passed away yesterday at the age of 48.  Van Der Beek announced he had been diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer in November of 2024.

Van Der Beek rose to fame starring as Dawson Leery on the WB hit drama.  He would later play a fictionalized version of himself on Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23.  On the big screen, he was known for his starring role in Varsity Blues.

Van Der Beek is survived by his wife and their six children.