James Van Der Beek, best known for his role in 'Dawson’s Creek,' has died at 48 after battling colorectal cancer. The news of his death was shared on February 11 in a post on his official Instagram page. “Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” the caption read, alongside a photo of the actor. Van Der Beek first publicly shared that he was undergoing treatment for colorectal cancer in 2024.
His passing is a reminder of how widespread and devastating the disease continues to be. According to the World Health Organization, around 10 million people die of cancer across the globe each year. Of course, these numbers also include famous people who lost their battle with the disease. While some stars managed to survive their cancer diagnosis, others sadly succumbed to it. Unfortunately, the list is long.
In this gallery, you will find the most famous people who lost their lives to this terrible disease.