James Van Der Beek, the actor known best for embodying those formative, angsty teenage years in " Dawson's Creek " and " Varsity Blues ," has died following a diagnosis with colorectal cancer.

Former Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek has died at the age of 48 following a public battle with cancer in recent years.

Van Der Beek noticed a change in bowel habits but attributed it to coffee and stopped drinking it, according to People magazine.