Celebrities React To James Van Der Beek’s Death

Hollywood is in mourning once again after the news broke that Dawson’s Creek alum James Van Der Beek died Wednesday morning. The actor had colorectal cancer, a diagnosis he made public in 2024.

Chad Michael Murray, Sarah Michelle Gellar and more flooded to the comments section of the Instagram post shared by Van Der Beek’s family to announce his passing.

“I’m so sad for your beautiful family,” Gellar wrote. “While James’ legacy will always live on, this is a huge loss to not just your family but the world. Fuck Cancer.”

Added Murray: “Sending love and light to your beautiful family. James was a giant. We’re so so so sorry for what you’re going through. His words, art and humanity inspired all of us – he inspired us to be better in all ways. God bless you guys.”

Julie Plec, who began her career working with Dawson’s Creek creator Kevin Williamson, posted her own short tribute to Van Der Beek, writing: “A vibrant young man. A father and husband and friend. A generational icon. RIP JVDB. Sleep now, Dawson.”

Paul Walter Hauser, in his own Instagram post on Wednesday, shared a screenshot with the more than $14,000 he’d raised on the platform Cameo to help pay for Van Der Beek’s cancer treatment. Hauser started collecting money just recently in support of Van Der Beek after the beloved actor said in November he was auctioning memorabilia from Dawson’s Creek and Varsity Blues.

Two months earlier, he had dropped out of a one-night Dawson’s Creek reunion to benefit F Cancer and Van der Beek. Lin-Manuel Miranda took his place for the live stage reading of the show’s pilot episode.

“Love you, James,” Hauser wrote in his post. “I know you’re in Heaven being pampered with love. The Van Der Beeks will be in our daily prayers and we’ll be drumming up some money to support your beautiful family. Thanks for the body of work and for being one of the good guys.”