James Van Der Beek

New Capabilities

Died February 11, 2026

Colorectal cancer now kills more Americans under 50 than any other cancer. James Van Der Beek, who played Dawson Leery in the late-1990s teen drama Dawson's Creek, died February 11 at age 48 after a 30-month battle with colorectal cancer. He became the latest public figure to put a face on an epidemic that medical guidelines have only recently begun to address.

Updated May 27