Van Der Beek's career spanned three decades, with his breakout role as Dawson Leery in the iconic 1990s teen drama Dawson's Creek. The actor was also known for his roles in Varsity Blues, Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23, The Rules of Attraction, and Pose. Sadly, the actor died in February 2026 at the age of 48 after a battle with colorectal cancer. He passed away surrounded by his six children and his wife, Kimberly.