James Van Der Beek has died at the age of 48, his wife disclosed on Wednesday. The late actor had been battling stage 3 colorectal cancer, he revealed in 2024.
Van Der Beek gained fame for starring as Dawson Leery in the popular “Dawson’s Creek” show from 1998-2003. He later had recurring roles in TV shows “Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23,” “Mercy,” and “Friends with Better Lives.”
Though he was mostly a TV star, Van Der Beek also starred in several movies. Many sports fans fondly remembered Van Der Beek for his portrayal of “Mox” in the high school football movie “Varsity Blues.”
I’d tell you that you don’t understand what Varsity Blues meant to me, and still does. But we were all there. We all lived. An absolute icon, rest well James
— Shawntez (@smfen) February 11, 2026
#RIP James Van Der Beek. Varsity Blues is one of the greatest football movies of all time. pic.twitter.com/0nVwwAUqNt
— Ron Swanson (@JoeGilbert1992) February 11, 2026
James Van Der Beek was an icon in the 90s. Varsity Blues is not the legendary movie it became without his performance. He fought a courageous battle with cancer and he will be missed. Rest easy James
— Shooter McGavin (@ShooterMcGavin) February 11, 2026
pic.twitter.com/k0bic4pMCY
This one is a bummer… never watch Dawson's Creek but Varsity Blues was an absolute instant classic for every middle school and high school football player growing up. https://t.co/JzGvqFly9h
— LD (@sportsbyLD) February 11, 2026
Van Der Beek was so well known for his role as the quarterback for West Canaan that he cracked a great NFL joke several years ago.
The 48-year-old Van Der Beek leaves behind his wife and six children. He is the third prominent actor from the football team portrayed in the movie to have died. Paul Walker, who played Lance Harbor, died in 2013 car crash, while Ron Lester, who played Billy Bob, died in 2016.
