Remembering 12 'Dancing With the Stars' Contestants We’ve Lost
Dancing With the Stars has lost another member of the family. There are a handful of contestants from the show over the years that are no longer with us, and James Van Der Beek now joins that list.
Less than seven years after he finished in fifth place on the show in 2019, Van Der Beek died at the age of 48 on February 11, 2026. He had been battling colorectal cancer for more than two years at the time of his death.
News of Van Der Beek’s passing comes just three months after DWTS honored those from the show who’ve died in a special tribute during its 20th anniversary celebration in November 2025. Most notably, of course, that included former head judge Len Goodman, who died in April 2023. He was a judge for the dance competition for 29 seasons before his death.
Scroll down for a look back at the DWTS contestants who have died and for a refresh on how they did on the show.
