India, Feb. 12 -- James Van Der Beek, widely known for his lead role in the 1990s teen drama Dawson's Creek, has died, his family announced on Wednesday in a statement shared on his official Instagram account.

Following the news of his death, tributes poured in from actors associated with Dawson's Creek. Among those paying tribute was his former co-star Busy Philipps, who had played the college roommate of Joey Potter, the character portrayed by Katie Holmes.

Who Was James Van Der Beek?

James Van Der Beek was an American actor who rose to global fame in the late 1990s. He became a household name after starring as Dawson Leery in Dawson's Creek, a role that defined teen television of that era.

Over the years, he built a diverse career ...