Old School. Biblically Independent.
By Dustin Rowles | TV | February 11, 2026
James Van Der Beek passed away this morning after a battle with colorectal cancer, which was diagnosed about two years ago during a routine colonoscopy. Van Der Beek, of course, was the title character in the teen melodrama Dawson’s Creek. He also enjoyed a brief but successful movie career with films like The Rules of Attraction and Varsity Blues, though he spent much of the last two decades leaning into self-effacing roles, most memorably playing a heightened version of himself on Don’t Trust the B in Apt. 23.
At a certain point, James Van Der Beek became famous simply for being James Van Der Beek. Most of our core demographic here grew up with him, whether watching Dawson’s during its original run or catching one of the million reruns on TBS, right alongside Varsity Blues (“I. Don’t. Want. Your. Life.”). I suspect his death will land hard for a lot of us, another quiet reminder of our own mortality.
But, of course, the real loss belongs to his wife, his six kids, his friends and family, and the industry at large. It’s especially crushing that someone as widely beloved as Van Der Beek reportedly had to auction props from Dawson’s Creek and Varsity Blues just three months ago to help cover cancer care.
What a world we live in.
May James Van Der Beek’s memory be a blessing. And if this song wasn’t already playing in your head, it will be now.
