After battling colorectal cancer since 2024, “Dawson’s Creek” alum James Van Der Beek sadly passed away on February 11, 2026. The news, which was first reported by TMZ, was then confirmed by his family in a loving post on Instagram.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” the post announced. “He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace.”
Since the news broke, fans, friends and co-stars of Van Der Beek have been taking to social media to show their support, and look back on their favorite moments with the actor. Among them is his “Dawson’s Creek” co-star and friend, Busy Phillipps.
Busy Phillipps Says She’s ‘Profoundly Heartbroken’ By the Loss
GettyPhillipps, who co-starred with Van Der Beek in the ’90s teen drama, reposted the photo Van Der Beek’s family shared to Instagram on her profile.
“My heart is deeply hurting for all of us today…every person who knew James and loved him, anyone who loved his work or had the pleasure of meeting him, all of his dear friends and community that surrounded him as he battled this illness, especially his parents and brother and sister,” Phillipps wrote. “But I am profoundly heartbroken for his incredible wife Kimberly and their six magical children.”
As a reminder, Van Der Beek is survived by his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their six children, ages spanning from 15 to four.
“James Van Der Beek was one in a billion and he will be forever missed and i don’t know what else to say,” she continued, after referring to the GoFundMe page established on the Van Der Beek family’s behalf. “I am just so so sad. He was my friend and i loved him and i’m so grateful for our friendship all these years.❤️”
Busy Phillipps Supported James Van Der Beek in His Cancer Battle
Long before his passing, Phillipps and the rest of the “Dawson’s Creek” cast had supported him in his cancer battle. That included the highly anticipated “Dawson’s Creek” reunion in New York City in September 2024, which Van Der Beek sadly missed.
“It was heartbreaking for a million different reasons,” Philipps said of his absence on her Instagram Stories at the time. “But I was so glad that Kimberly [Van Der Beek] and all the kids [were there].” The “Freaks and Geeks” alum also noted that James’ father and sister attended, along with Kimberly’s extended family and friends.
Philipps, who starred as Audrey Liddell on the teen drama, called the night “really beautiful,” adding that James was still part of the moment despite being grounded at home. “James [was] getting lots of videos and Facetimes and texts and things. We just love him so much,” she gushed.
