James Van Der Beek

New Capabilities

As of May 2026: 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