Dawson’s Creek Star and Drew University Alum James Van Der Beek Dies at 48, Leaving a Lasting Mark on New Jersey and Television

New Jersey is mourning the loss of one of television’s most recognizable faces, as actor James Van Der Beek—forever associated with a generation through his breakout role as Dawson Leery—has died at the age of 48.

While Van Der Beek was born and raised in Cheshire, Connecticut, a pivotal chapter of his personal and professional life unfolded in the Garden State, where he arrived as a college student and unknowingly began the path that would lead to international recognition.

Van Der Beek passed away on February 11, 2026, following a private and courageous battle with colorectal cancer. In a statement shared through his official social media account, his family confirmed that he died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, and asked for privacy as they grieve a husband, father, son, brother, and friend.

He is survived by his wife of nearly sixteen years, Kimberly, and their six children.

For New Jersey, his legacy is deeply intertwined with Drew University in Madison, where Van Der Beek enrolled on an academic scholarship and studied English and sociology. At Drew, he immersed himself in campus life and creative expression, including performing with the university’s all-male a cappella group, 36 Madison Ave., long before his name would become a fixture in pop culture.

It was during those college years in Morris County that Van Der Beek’s life changed dramatically.

In 1998, while still a student at Drew, he landed the lead role in the WB teen drama Dawson’s Creek, securing the part of aspiring filmmaker Dawson Leery. The opportunity required him to step away from school during his junior year and relocate for production, a decision that would ultimately reshape the trajectory of his career.

The series went on to become one of the defining television dramas of its era, airing for six seasons from 1998 through 2003 and launching the careers of an entire generation of actors. Alongside Van Der Beek, the show introduced audiences to future stars Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, and Joshua Jackson, and became a cultural touchstone for young viewers around the world.

Although his national breakthrough happened far from New Jersey, Van Der Beek often spoke warmly about his formative years in Madison and the creative confidence he developed while at Drew. For him, the campus was not simply a stepping stone, but a place where his identity as a performer and storyteller first took shape.

More than two decades after leaving the university to pursue his acting career, Van Der Beek returned to Drew in May 2024 in a moment that many at the school described as deeply meaningful. He served as the university’s commencement speaker and was awarded an honorary Bachelor of Arts degree, formally closing a chapter that had remained unfinished since his sudden departure for Hollywood.

Standing at the podium in Madison, he addressed graduates with a message shaped by his own unconventional path.

He encouraged students to approach the future with presence, curiosity, optimism and a sense of awe, noting that uncertainty itself often creates opportunity. For many in attendance, it was a rare and personal glimpse into how deeply his college experience in New Jersey had continued to influence him.

In the days following his passing, Drew University released a tribute recognizing both his artistic achievements and his lasting connection to the campus community, recalling how he once described himself as having “deferred his education” to accept the role that would define his early career.

Beyond his association with Dawson’s Creek, Van Der Beek built a wide-ranging film and television résumé that demonstrated both versatility and self-awareness. He appeared in feature films such as Varsity Blues and developed a reputation later in his career for embracing comedic and satirical roles, including his critically praised, self-referential performance in the series Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23.

His work also connected him directly to New Jersey’s broader creative community through collaborations with Red Bank native and filmmaker Kevin Smith. Van Der Beek appeared in both Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back and Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, becoming part of a film universe closely associated with New Jersey’s independent cinema identity.

Those collaborations further strengthened his ties to the state’s film culture and placed him within a network of creators who helped shape New Jersey’s modern reputation as a serious hub for production and storytelling. Readers interested in how the Garden State continues to influence the entertainment industry can explore more about New Jersey’s growing presence in film and television through Explore New Jersey’s film and TV coverage, which highlights the artists, locations, and projects driving the state’s screen culture forward.

In November 2024, Van Der Beek publicly revealed that he had been diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer. At the time, he shared that he had been managing the diagnosis privately and was undergoing treatment with the support of his family. He expressed optimism and gratitude, emphasizing how deeply the experience had reshaped his perspective on time, health, and connection.

Even as his health challenges continued, he remained engaged with his creative community. In September, a charity fundraiser organized in part by members of the Dawson’s Creek cast—led by Michelle Williams—was held in support of cancer awareness and research. Although illness prevented Van Der Beek from attending in person, he appeared virtually, offering words of thanks and encouragement to supporters.

For fans in New Jersey, his passing carries a particularly personal resonance. He was not simply a television star who passed through the state, but a student who lived, learned, performed and grew within one of its college communities before stepping onto the world stage.

From rehearsing with fellow students in Madison, to delivering a commencement address on the same campus decades later, Van Der Beek’s New Jersey story formed a quiet but powerful throughline in a career defined by visibility and reinvention.

As tributes continue to pour in from across the entertainment industry and from those who knew him as a classmate, collaborator, and mentor, James Van Der Beek is being remembered not only for the character that made him famous, but for a life shaped by creativity, resilience, humility, and a deep appreciation for the people and places that helped launch his journey.