Stars of Dawson’s Creek are among those paying tribute to actor James Van Der Beek, who has died at the age of 48.
The American actor, best known for his role as Dawson Leery in the hit 1990s teen drama, died on Wednesday following a battle with colorectal cancer.
His wife, Kimberly, confirmed the news in a statement, saying he met his final days with “courage, faith and grace”.
Van Der Beek revealed his cancer diagnosis in 2024 and had spoken publicly about his treatment in recent months.
He is survived by his wife and their six children.
Following his death, friends organised an online fundraiser to help support the family after the financial strain of his medical care, with hundreds of thousands of dollars raised within hours.
Former co-stars and friends have shared tributes on social media, remembering him as kind, talented and deeply compassionate, while fans around the world have also expressed their condolences.
Van Der Beek rose to international fame in Dawson’s Creek, which ran for six seasons and became one of the defining television dramas of its era.
Source: LA Times
