Former teen heartthrob James Van Der Beek, who gained the hearts of TV viewers in beloved drama sequence Dawson’s Creek, is being remembered by his co-stars following his dying, aged 48.
The actor’s dying follows his prognosis of stage 3 colorectal most cancers in November 2024.
He’s survived by his spouse, Kimberly, and their six youngsters collectively. Kimberly wrote in a tribute on Instagram: “Our beloved James David Van Der Beek handed peacefully this morning. He met his last days with braveness, religion, and style.
“There’s a lot to share relating to his needs, love for humanity, and the sacredness of time. These days will come. For now we ask for peaceable privateness as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and pal.”
Fellow celebrities together with Jennifer Garner, Lin Manuel Miranda shared tributes to van Der Beek, together with his Dawson’s Creek costar Busy Phillips, who described him as “one in a billion.”
“My coronary heart is deeply hurting for all of us right this moment… each one who knew James and cherished him, anybody who cherished his work or had the pleasure of assembly him, all of his pricey buddies and group that surrounded him as he battled this sickness,” Phillips wrote.
James Van Der Beek – a self-aware icon
After Dawson’s Creek went stratospheric, the actor made it clear he was keen to poke enjoyable at his standing as a teen heartthrob with humorous cameo appearances as himself in each Scary Film (2000) and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Again (2001).
Jacob Stolworthy12 February 2026 11:50
Katie Holmes’s handwritten letter in full
Katie Holmes, who performed James Van Der Beek’s love curiosity in Dawson’s Creek, wrote down a tribute – and shared it on-line hours after his dying.
“To share house together with your creativeness is sacred – respiratory the identical air within the land of make consider and trusting that every others’ hearts are secure of their expression…
“These are a number of the recollections, together with laughter, conversations about life, James Taylor songs – adventures of a singular youth…”
“Bravery. Compassion. Selflessness. Energy. An appreciation for all times and the motion taken to stay life with the integrity that life is artwork – creating a stupendous marriage, six loving youngsters – the journey of a hero.
“I mourn this loss with a coronary heart holding the fact of his absence and deep gratitude for his imprint on it.”
Jacob Stolworthy12 February 2026 11:35
James Van Der Beek dropped out of uni to star in ‘Dawson’s Creek’
The actor auditioned for Dawson’s Creek in 1997 and dropped out of Drew College after securing the lead as Dawson Leery.
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The present was picked up by the WB Community and, when it premiered, it turned an on the spot success, portraying the angst and innocence of adolescence in a fictional Massachusetts city.
He was 20 years previous when he started filming the present – 5 years older than the 15-year-old character he was portraying.
Jacob Stolworthy12 February 2026 10:45
Katie Holmes pays tribute to ‘Dawson’s Creek’ co-star
Katie Holmes has shared a handwritten word she wrote in tribute to her “beloved” Dawson’s Creek co-star James Van Der Beek.
The actor starred reverse Van Der Beek all through the teenager drama, in one of many central relationships – that of Dawson and Joey.
She mentioned the information is “so much to course of” as she recalled their “adventures of a singular youth”.
Jacob Stolworthy12 February 2026 10:22
Reese Witherspoon ‘devastated’ by information
Reese Witherspoon was one of many final stars who started working with James Van Der Beek; the actor shot scenes for the forthcoming Legally Blonde TV sequence.
She wrote: “What a unprecedented, proficient man who additionally confirmed nice kindness and style in each motion.
“Praying all of the angels watch over his household throughout this troublesome time.”
Jacob Stolworthy12 February 2026 09:30
James Van Der Beek’s last submit
The Dawson’s Creek actor honoured his 12-year-old daughter Annabel in his shifting final submit earlier than his dying.
Jacob Stolworthy12 February 2026 09:02
Emma Slater says James Van Der Beek turned ‘household’ after Dancing With the Stars
Emma Slater has shared a tribute to James Van Der Beek, her companion on season 28 of Dancing With the Stars in 2019.
The pair completed fifth on the sequence, and Slater wrote that what started as a ballroom partnership “continued into the deepest of friendships”.
“All those that had the pleasure of getting you of their lives are blessed. Endlessly modified by your brilliance. We obtained to have these lovely years sharing life collectively,” she wrote on Instagram.
Slater shared she had seen him shortly earlier than his dying and was grateful for the possibility to talk with him. “We laughed collectively. And I promised I might really feel your presence all the time, as I have already got.”
Shahana Yasmin12 February 2026 08:30
Melissa Joan Hart remembers James Van Der Beek as ‘an amazing father’
Melissa Joan Hart has paid tribute to James Van Der Beek, describing him as “really a pleasant man”.
Hart, who starred as Clarissa Darling on the Nineties Nickelodeon sitcom Clarissa Explains It All, shared footage with Van Der Beek, who guest-starred as Paulie in a 1993 episode.
“He was really a pleasant man, an amazing father, great actor and can all the time be my first on display screen kiss when he visitor starred on Clarissa Explains It All. Gone manner too quickly but it surely looks like he put up one hell of a combat. We bumped into one another on the singing recreation present We Are Household about two years in the past when he sang a track together with his daughter, encouraging her like a great dad does,” she wrote on Instagram.
Shahana Yasmin12 February 2026 08:15
Dawson’s Creek co-stars bear in mind James Van Der Beek
James Van Der Beek’s former Dawson’s Creek co-stars have shared messages after information of his dying.
Busy Philipps, who performed Audrey Liddell, posted behind-the-scenes pictures from the sequence, writing that her “coronary heart is deeply hurting”.
“James Van Der Beek was one in a billion and he will probably be endlessly missed,” she wrote. “I’m simply so so unhappy. He was my pal and I cherished him and I am so grateful for our friendship all these years.”
Mary-Margaret Humes, who performed Dawson’s mom Gail Leery, described him as a “gracious warrior” who fought sickness with “quiet energy and dignity”.
Sasha Alexander, who performed his love curiosity Gretchen Witter, wrote that “what made Dawson particular was the person who performed him”, calling him “a deep, considerate soul”.
Chad Michael Murray, who had a recurring function as Charlie Todd, mentioned Van Der Beek “impressed us to be higher in all methods”, including: “James was a large.”
Shahana Yasmin12 February 2026 08:00
James Van Der Beek had reportedly been engaged on a memoir earlier than his dying
James Van Der Beek had been quietly writing a memoir within the months earlier than his dying, in response to Deadline.
The Dawson’s Creek actor was engaged on the e book between filming commitments, sources instructed the outlet.
It isn’t recognized how a lot of the manuscript had been accomplished, nor whether or not there are plans for the memoir to be revealed posthumously.
Shahana Yasmin12 February 2026 07:45
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