James Van Der Beek has died: the 'Dawson's Creek' actor was 48 years old

After his first steps in theatre, he moved to New York in 1993 to audition and took part in off-Broadway productions such as 'Finding the Sun' and 'Shenandoah'. The film debut came in 1995 with 'Angus', but the real breakthrough came in 1998 with the starring role in the teen series 'Dawson's Creek'.

In order to fully dedicate himself to the project, which made him internationally famous, he left the university, Drew University, where he was studying on a scholarship.

The series, which aired until 2003, established him as atelevision icon of the late 1990s.

His sensitive and idealistic Dawson became the symbol of a generation of teenagers struggling with first loves, friendships and the anxieties of growing up.

In later years, Van Der Beek tried to diversify his career, alternating between film and television.

His best-known roles include appearing in the music video 'Blow by Ke$ha' in 2011 and joining the main cast of the sitcom 'Don't Trust the Bitch of the Intern 23' (2012-2013), where he played an ironic version of himself.

In 2014, he joined the regular cast of 'Csi: Cyber' as Elijah Mundo. He also starred in the series 'My Worst Friends' (2014) and 'Carters Get Rich' (2017).

On film his last appearances were in Justin Wu's 'Bad Hair' (2020) and 'The Bad Boy and Me' (2024), while on TV he appeared in 'Modern Family' (2017), 'Pose' (2018) and finally 'Overcompensating - The Deception'. (2025)

In private life, the actor had been married to actress Heather McComb from 2003 to 2009.

He leaves behind his second wife, Kimberly Brook, whom he married in August 2010; their six children Olivia, 15, Joshua 13, Annabel 12, Emilia 9, Gwendolyn 6 and Jeremiah 4; his brother, Jared; and his sister, Juliana, as well as his parents.