American actor James Van Der Beek, best known for his breakout role on Dawson's Creek, sadly passed away aged 48 on Wednesday, after being diagnosed with bowel cancer in late 2023.
The news was announced by his family on Instagram, where she wrote: "Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. 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," she wrote.
"For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend."
As tributes pour in from fellow actors, family and fans, the actor and father of six leaves behind a lasting legacy across television and film. If you're looking to revisit some of his standout performances, here are six of our top picks.
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© Getty ImagesDawson's Creek
James starred in a handful of small roles as a teenager, but it was his breakout turn as Dawson Leery in Dawson's Creek that made him a household name at just 21. The teen drama premiered in 1998 and became a global success, running for six seasons and ranking among The WB's biggest shows.
He played the title role of Dawson, the quintessential boy next door with a love of movies, particularly those by Steven Spielberg. Set in the fictional town of Capeside, the series starred James alongside Katie Holmes as Joey Potter, Joshua Jackson as Pacey Witter and Michelle Williams as newcomer Jen Lindley.
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© CBS via Getty ImagesCSI: Cyber
After a successful run through the 90s and early noughties, James stepped into fast-paced crime drama as FBI Special Agent Elijah Mundo in the CSI spin-off CSI: Cyber.
The physically demanding role marked a shift from his earlier teen and comedy parts, with James revealing to Time magazine that he had trained in martial arts. His character worked in the FBI's Cyber Crime Division and served as second-in-command to Patricia Arquette's Dr Avery Ryan.
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© Alamy Stock PhotoPose
In 2018, James took on a more corporate role in FX's acclaimed LGBTQ+ drama Pose, created by Ryan Murphy. He played high-level executive Matt Bromley in season one, the unlikeable boss of Evan Peters' Stan Bowes, whose obsession with hedonistic pursuits made him a key antagonist.
The series proved a major hit and went on to earn multiple nominations, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Drama. James starred alongside Evan Peters, Kate Mara, Indya Moore and Billy Porter, who won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
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© Alamy Stock PhotoVarsity Blues
One of James's biggest film roles came in Varsity Blues, a coming-of-age sports comedy-drama in which he played quarterback Jonathan 'Mox' Moxon. Living in a Texas town obsessed with football, Mox dreams of escaping small-town life to attend Brown University on an academic scholarship.
Starring alongside Jon Voight, Paul Walker, Ron Lester and Scott Caan, the role earned James an MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Male Performance. His line "I don't want your life!" went on to become a staple of 90s pop culture.
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© Alamy Stock PhotoThe Rules of Attraction
In 2002, James took on the role of Sean Bateman, a narcissistic, drug-dealing college student and the brother of American Psycho's Patrick Bateman. The performance marked a sharp departure from his wholesome Dawson's Creek image.
While the film initially polarised audiences, it has since been reassessed and is now widely regarded as one of James's most daring and successful roles.
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© WireImageTexas Rangers
James swapped Capeside for post-Civil War Texas in the action Western Texas Rangers. He played Lincoln Rogers Dunnison, a young man from Philadelphia who heads West to reunite with his family, only to have his life torn apart after witnessing their murder by a ruthless bandit gang.
Loosely adapted from George Durham's book Taming the Nueces Strip, the film also starred Ashton Kutcher, Alfred Molina and Dylan McDermott.
