{"id":2277995,"date":"2026-02-11T21:31:13","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T21:31:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2277995"},"modified":"2026-02-11T21:31:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T21:31:13","slug":"james-van-der-beek-remembered-as-co-stars-friends-and-loved-ones-pay-tribute-to-the-dawsons-creek-star-after-his-death-at-48","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/james-van-der-beek-remembered-as-co-stars-friends-and-loved-ones-pay-tribute-to-the-dawsons-creek-star-after-his-death-at-48\/","title":{"rendered":"James Van Der Beek remembered as co-stars, friends and loved ones pay tribute to the ‘Dawson’s Creek’ star after his death at 48"},"content":{"rendered":"

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James Van Der Beek, beloved star of Dawson\u2019s Creek and Varsity Blues, has died, his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, confirmed on Wednesday<\/a>. He was 48.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,\u201d Kimberly wrote on social media<\/a> Wednesday afternoon. \u201cHe met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time.<\/p>\n

Van Der Beek was best known for his role as the sweethearted film buff Dawson Leery in the hit teen drama Dawson\u2019s Creek, which made him an instant star after it premiered in 1998. He followed up his big breakout by starring in the decidedly more adult comedy\/drama Varsity Blues, in which he played a backup quarterback thrust into the spotlight in a football-obsessed Texas town.<\/p>\n

Van Der Beek continued acting in the ensuing decades, landing starring roles in an eclectic range of TV shows, including Pose, CSI: Cyber, Friends with Better Lives and Don\u2019t Trust the B\u2014- in Apartment 23. He also competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2019.<\/p>\n

His final acting role<\/a> was in the Amazon Prime series Elle, a prequel to the 2001 film Legally Blonde. The show is scheduled to premiere later this year.<\/p>\n

He announced in 2024\u00a0 that he had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer <\/a>the previous year and used his celebrity to advocate for funding for cancer research.<\/p>\n

In response to news of his death, Van Der Beek\u2019s costars, loved ones and a long list of other people that he connected with during his decades in Hollywood took time to honor his memory.<\/p>\n

Sarah Michelle Gellar<\/strong>: \u201cI\u2019m so sad for your beautiful family. While James\u2019 legacy will always live on, this is a huge loss to not just your family but the world. F*** Cancer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kerr Smith<\/strong>: I\u2019m so grateful for being able to call James a brother. I\u2019ll miss him deeply. Rest easy.<\/p>\n

Paul Walter Hauser<\/strong>: \u201cI know you\u2019re in Heaven being pampered with love. The Van Der Beeks will be in our daily prayers and we\u2019ll be drumming up some money to support your beautiful family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nikki Reed<\/strong>: \u201cYou still hold the prize for wisest person I\u2019ve ever known. Every piece of advice, every nugget of life experience you shared was a treasure that I\u2019ll hold close forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jenna Dewan<\/strong>: \u201cI will always and forever remember your sweet gentle soul. My love and prayers with Kim and the entire family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rosie O\u2019Donnell<\/strong>: \u201ctoo soon too young\u201d<\/p>\n

Christie Brinkley: <\/strong>\u201cHis kindness radiated, his love for his family was palpable it sparkled , everybody loved him.\u201d<\/p>\n

David Denman<\/strong>: \u201cOne of the kindest souls I\u2019ve ever known. \ud83d\udc94 RIP brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Patricia Arquette<\/strong>: \u201cLove you. James was one of a kind. The best. People can support on- go fund me look up Support for James Van Der Beek\u2019s family to support through this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

David Boreanaz<\/strong>: \u201cRIP Brother\u201d<\/p>\n

Dancing with the Stars<\/strong>: \u201cJames brought passion, vulnerability, and determination to the ballroom and connected deeply with audiences through his journey on Dancing with the Stars.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jason Behr<\/strong>: What a beautiful and kind soul. Very grateful to have had or time.<\/p>\n

Joel McHale<\/strong>: \u201cOne of the best and most kind there ever will be\u201d<\/p>\n

Steve Kazee<\/strong>: \u201cMy time with you was brief but the depth of that time was vast. I always appreciated how deeply you loved your family and your kids and how much work you did on yourself to be an even better father than you already were.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n