'Dawson’s Creek' Honors James Van Der Beek’s ‘Iconic Portrayal’ In Tribute Post"Dawson’s Creek," the late ’90s and early 2000s teen TV drama that starred James Van Der Beek, posted a tribute honoring the actor after his death at the age of 48 on Wednesday.“We are deeply saddened by the passing of James Van Der Beek,” the show’s official account wrote in a social media post. “His iconic portrayal of Dawson Leery helped define a generation of television for fans and continues to resonate with audiences today.”See All Updates