James Van Der Beek dies at 48 after colorectal cancer battle

James Van Der Beek, the actor best known as Dawson Leery on Dawson’s Creek and a breakout film star in Varsity Blues, has died at age 48 after a multi-year fight with colorectal cancer. His family confirmed his death on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026 (ET), saying he died peacefully surrounded by loved ones.

In the days since, tributes have poured in from former co-stars and longtime friends, while an online crowdfunding campaign set up for his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek (also known as Kimberly Brook), and their six children quickly drew widespread support amid reports of steep medical costs.

James Van Der Beek’s final months

Coverage around Van Der Beek’s illness has focused on the timeline: a diagnosis in August 2023, followed by a public disclosure later in his illness. Recent stories have described the cancer as stage 3 colorectal cancer, a classification that typically reflects regional spread and often requires intensive, multi-step treatment.

The public response has also been shaped by how visible Van Der Beek remained in entertainment even while sick. Fans noted his continued appearances and interviews, as well as the way he discussed fatherhood and faith as central anchors during treatment. In the days after his death, entertainment programs included brief memorial tributes, underscoring how widely his work resonated across TV and film audiences.

Dawson’s Creek, Varsity Blues, and career legacy

Van Der Beek’s defining role for many viewers remains Dawson Leery, the earnest aspiring filmmaker at the center of Dawson’s Creek. The series helped launch a generation of stars, including Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, and Michelle Williams, and its cultural footprint has stayed unusually durable for a late-1990s teen drama.

In film, Varsity Blues cemented his status as a leading man, and conversations this week have pulled the spotlight back to the Varsity Blues cast and that era’s sports-movie boom. His later years included a mix of comedic turns, guest roles, and reality-competition visibility, including Dancing with the Stars (often shortened as “DWTS”), which introduced him to a newer audience beyond Dawson creek devotees.

Tributes from friends and co-stars

As condolences spread, multiple familiar names resurfaced in the public conversation around Van Der Beek: Stacy Keibler shared an emotional remembrance, and Alfonso Ribeiro posted about a final visit and their friendship, noting a close bond with the family.

Messages also circulated from within the broader Dawson’s Creek cast orbit, including former on-screen partners and fellow alumni of the show’s long-running fan community. Heather McComb, Van Der Beek’s former spouse, also shared a remembrance that emphasized their shared history and his devotion to his children and marriage later in life.

The outpouring reflects something larger than nostalgia: for many, Van Der Beek became a symbol of a particular era of television, then reintroduced himself repeatedly as he moved through different phases of his career.

Crowdfunding, costs, and net worth questions

Online searches spiked for terms like “james van der beek gofundme” and “james van der beek net worth,” largely driven by the rapid spread of a crowdfunding campaign created to help support his family. While dollar totals have climbed quickly, exact figures have shifted hour to hour as donations continue.

At the same time, net worth estimates circulating online vary widely and are not publicly confirmed. What is clear is that late-stage cancer care can be financially punishing even for working actors, and recent discussion has revived long-running debates around residuals, contract leverage for young performers, and the uneven economics of fame.

Key takeaways

• Van Der Beek died Feb. 11, 2026 (ET), after stage 3 colorectal cancer first diagnosed in August 2023.

• Tributes from Katie Holmes’ circle of Dawson’s Creek alumni, plus friends like Alfonso Ribeiro and Stacy Keibler, have amplified the public memorial.

• A fast-growing crowdfunding effort has drawn attention to medical costs, family support needs, and confusion around unverified net worth figures.

Colorectal cancer symptoms and what to watch for

The surge in attention has also driven renewed public interest in colorectal cancer symptoms and colon cancer symptoms—especially for people under 50, a group increasingly urged to take warning signs seriously.

Commonly cited symptoms include persistent changes in bowel habits, blood in stool, unexplained weight loss, ongoing abdominal pain, and fatigue that may reflect anemia. Symptoms can overlap with less serious conditions, and in some cases colorectal cancer can be present without obvious early signs, which is why screening schedules and risk-based checkups matter.

For fans, the story now sits at the intersection of pop culture and public health: the loss of a recognizable TV lead, and a reminder that colorectal cancer can affect people who appear otherwise healthy—making early evaluation of symptoms and routine screening a central part of the wider conversation in the wake of his death.