James Van Der Beek, renowned for his role in the TV series Dawson's Creek, passed away on Wednesday morning, February 11, at the age of 48 after battling third-stage colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is a malignant tumor of the colon or rectum, and Van Der Beek's case highlights the importance of recognizing early symptoms of this disease. In an interview with Business Insider in August 2025, he shared his initial symptoms, which began to manifest despite his otherwise healthy lifestyle, characterized by regular exercise and an organic diet.

Van Der Beek described how he first noticed changes in his bowel habits but dismissed them as minor issues, choosing to stop drinking coffee in hopes that the problem would resolve itself. He admitted that the symptoms did not feel significant enough to warrant immediate medical attention. However, as the symptoms persisted, he eventually sought medical advice and underwent a colonoscopy, which confirmed his diagnosis of stage three colorectal cancer, indicating that the disease had spread to nearby lymph nodes.

His experience serves as a somber reminder of the necessity for vigilance regarding health symptoms, even when one feels generally healthy. Van Der Beek's willingness to share his journey through this illness, including the lessons learned about timely medical intervention, aims to encourage others to take their health concerns seriously and seek evaluations without delay, especially when observing unusual changes in one's body.