James David Van Der Beek (8 March 1977 – 11 February 2026)

James Van Der Beek, the actor who became one of the defining faces of late-1990s youth culture through his role as Dawson Leery on Dawson’s Creek, has died at the age of 48 following a battle with colorectal cancer.

For Generation X, especially those straddling the Gen X–Millennial line, Van Der Beek embodied the emotional, introspective coming-of-age stories that defined the final years of the 20th century. Dawson’s Creek (1998–2003) turned him into a teen-drama icon, capturing the anxieties, dreams and romantic idealism of a generation raised on mixtapes, indie films and late-night heart-to-heart conversations.

Beyond television, Van Der Beek solidified his place in Gen X pop culture with his role as Jonathan “Mox” Moxon in the cult football drama Varsity Blues, delivering lines and moments that became instant locker-room folklore and endlessly quoted nostalgia staples.

He went on to appear in dozens of film and television projects, from comedies like Don’t Trust the B— in Apt. 23 to guest roles on How I Met Your Mother and dramatic turns in series such as CSI: Cyber and Pose, showing both humor and self-awareness about the teen-idol image that first made him famous.

Born in Connecticut in 1977, Van Der Beek began acting on stage as a teenager before achieving global fame in his early twenties. In later years, he remained connected to fans through reunions, charity events, and candid discussions about life, family, and illness, maintaining a legacy that blended earnest vulnerability with a willingness to laugh at himself.