how did van der beek die

James Van Der Beek died after a battle with colorectal/bowel cancer; he was 48 years old.

Quick Scoop: How did Van Der Beek die?

James Van Der Beek, best known for playing Dawson Leery on Dawson’s Creek and starring in Varsity Blues , passed away in February 2026 at the age of 48. His family and representatives announced that he had been diagnosed with colorectal (bowel) cancer, which he had publicly discussed since late 2024.

Cause of death

• Multiple major outlets report that he died following a battle with colorectal/bowel cancer.

• Some reports note that the exact, formal cause of death was not explicitly detailed in family statements, but all link his passing to his ongoing cancer diagnosis and treatment.

• Coverage consistently frames his death as the culmination of a long fight with the disease rather than a sudden accident or unrelated condition.

In plain terms: he died after fighting colorectal cancer for several years, and that illness is what news organizations connect directly to his death.

“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” his wife wrote, emphasizing how he met his final days with courage and grace.

Timeline and recent context

• He publicly revealed his colorectal cancer diagnosis in late 2024, saying he was taking steps to address it, though he did not share every medical detail.

• In 2025 he mentioned auctioning items from his career to help pay for his treatment, which signaled how serious and prolonged the illness had become.

• Obituaries from early February 2026 all place his death shortly after this period, describing that he died “peacefully” after the extended battle.

Fans on forums and social platforms have been reacting with shock and sadness, often recalling his work on Dawson’s Creek and later self-aware roles, and noting how young 48 feels for a cancer-related death.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.