{"id":2278147,"date":"2026-02-11T23:15:47","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T23:15:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2278147"},"modified":"2026-02-11T23:15:47","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T23:15:47","slug":"celebrities-react-to-james-van-der-beeks-death-at-48","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/celebrities-react-to-james-van-der-beeks-death-at-48\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrities React to James Van Der Beek’s Death at 48"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Originally appeared on E! Online<\/a><\/p>\n

The simple act of loving James Van Der Beek<\/a> <\/strong>was enough.<\/p>\n

After the Dawson’s Creek alum died at the age of 48<\/a> following a battle with colon cancer, several of his friends, former colleagues and loved ones expressed their heartbreak over his passing.<\/p>\n

Among them was fellow ’90s star Sarah Michelle Gellar<\/strong><\/a>, who wrote to James’ loved ones, “I\u2019m so sad for your beautiful family. While James legacy will always live on, this is a huge loss to not just your family but the world. F–k Cancer.”<\/p>\n

Dancing With the Stars’ host Alfonso Ribeiro <\/strong>shared he and his good friend had a final moment together.<\/p>\n

“I am broken,” he wrote on Instagram. “So happy to have him in my life. Lucky I got to be there to say goodbye.”<\/p>\n

James\u2014who shared kids Olivia<\/strong>, 15, Joshua<\/strong>, 13, Annabel<\/strong>, 12, Emilia<\/strong>, 9, Gwendolyn<\/strong>, 7, and Jeremiah<\/strong>, 4, with wife Kimberly Van Der Beek<\/strong><\/a>\u2014”passed peacefully” Feb. 11, his family wrote on Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

More from E! Online<\/strong><\/p>\n

“He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,” the message continued. “There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"James<\/div>\n

Instagram\/James Van Der Beek<\/p>\n

Since being diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer in Nov. 2024, James had been candid about his health journey and how it impacted his life.<\/p>\n

“As soon as I heard the news, I thought, ‘This is going to be the best thing that ever happened to me,'” James told Today co-host<\/a> Craig Melvin<\/strong> in Dec. 2025. “I had this little voice in my head that said, ‘You’re going to make changes in your life that you would never, ever make if you didn’t have this extreme of a diagnosis.'”<\/p>\n

But more than the lifestyle changes, it was the life lessons the Varsity Blues alum learned along the way that mattered most.<\/p>\n

\"James<\/span><\/div>\n

Marc Kayne\/Warner Bros Tv\/Kobal\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n

“Really, the biggest change would be this journey of self-love,” he reflected. “What I realized was, I’m still worthy of love.”<\/p>\n

He also learned to slow down and enjoy the moment.<\/p>\n

“Presence is really the gift that cancer has given me,” James explained. “Before cancer, I took all these little beautiful moments as part of a collection. I was just aware of everything. Now, I’m able much more to just settle into that exact moment.”<\/p>\n

For more celebs who have paid tribute to the beloved actor, read on.<\/p>\n

Busy Philipps<\/p>\n

\"<p>Busy<\/div>\n
\n

“My heart is deeply hurting for all of us today\u2026every person who knew James and loved him, anyone who loved his work or had the pleasure of meeting him, all of his dear friends and community that surrounded him as he battled this illness, especially his parents and brother and sister,” Busy, who worked with James on Dawson’s Creek, wrote in a post. “But I am profoundly heartbroken for his incredible wife Kimberly and their six magical children.”<\/p>\n

She added, “James Van Der Beek was one in a billion and he will be forever missed and i don\u2019t know what else to say. i am just so so sad. He was my friend and I loved him and i\u2019m so grateful for our friendship all these years.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Ashton Kutcher<\/p>\n

\"<p>Ashton<\/div>\n
\n

“Had the good fortune of knowing and growing with this guy,” Ashton wrote in a post on X<\/a>. “Rip.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Benito “Benny Drama” Skinner<\/p>\n

\"<p>Benito<\/div>\n
\n

The Overcompensating star and writer, who worked with James on the Prime Video series, wrote in an Instagram Story, “A legend in every way.”<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Claire Coffee<\/p>\n

\"<p>Claire<\/div>\n
\n

“I worked with James so many years ago and he remains one of the kindest, wisest, most generous scene partners I\u2019ve ever had,” the Franklin & Bash alum wrote. “<\/span>What a beautiful legacy he leaves. Sending so much love.”<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Lin Manuel Miranda<\/p>\n

\"<p>Lin<\/div>\n
\n

After the news of the Dawson’s Creek star’s death broke, the Hamilton writer shared a selfie with his family from the show’s 2025 reunion, writing, “My whole heart is with the Van Der Beek family today.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Stacy Kiebler<\/p>\n

\"<p>Stacy<\/span><\/div>\n
\n

“You showed me what it looks like to trust God\u2019s plan, even when it breaks your heart,” she wrote on Instagram. “Especially when it breaks your heart.”<\/p>\n

She continued, “The other night we watched the sunset together as you shared your wisdom, your hopes, and the promises we made to each other. We talked about how this world can feel upside down\u2026and how maybe heaven needs your spirit now to help steady us down here. And just as the sun slipped away, a shooting star crossed the sky\u2026as if to remind us that none of this is random.”<\/p>\n

As she put it, “You are a gift.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Danica McKellar<\/p>\n

\"<p>Danica<\/div>\n
\n

“A beautiful soul and unthinkably tragic loss,” she noted on Instagram. “Sending prayers of peace to your family as you process this. We are all by your side.”<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Kate Walsh<\/p>\n

\"<p>Kate<\/span><\/div>\n
\n

Sharing she was feeling heartbroken, the Grey’s Anatomy alum added, “Sending love, light & strength to you dear @vanderkimberly.”<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Jennifer Garner<\/p>\n

\"<p>Jennifer<\/div>\n
\n

“What a heartbreaking loss,” the actress wrote. “So much love to you, Kimberly, and to your kids, as you navigate this tender time.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Christie Brinkley<\/p>\n

\"<p>Christie<\/div>\n
\n

“His kindness radiated, his love for his family was palpable it sparkled , everybody loved him,” she reflected. “My most heartfelt condolences go out to his beautiful family he adored.”<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Nikki Reed<\/p>\n

\"<p>Nikki<\/div>\n
\n

“You beautiful soul,” she began. “Anyone who had the privilege of knowing you is forever changed by you. Your depth, your presence, your unparalleled love for your family. The connection you and Kimberly have that transcends lifetimes. You 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 I\u2019ll hold close forever.”<\/span><\/p>\n

She continued, “And don\u2019t even get me started on the gift you had with words. When you picked up your pen, you made all of us remember what tenderness feels like on a page. Oh James, you are so so so deeply loved. And so so deeply missed. My heart aches and I\u2019m sure the ripples of those aches will be felt forever.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“And Kimberly,” the Twilight alum added, “we are all wrapping you and those sweet babies in love. My special sister, you and James are the greatest example of love I\u2019ve ever known. Here for you in every way, forever.”<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Melissa Joan Hart<\/p>\n

\"<p>Melissa<\/div>\n
\n

“I’m heartbroken to hear that @vanderjames has passed away,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “He was truly a nice guy, a great father, wonderful actor and will always be my first on screen kiss when he guest starred on #ClarissaExplainsItAll.”<\/span><\/p>\n

She continued, “Gone way too soon but it seems like he put up one hell of a fight. We ran into each other at the singing game show #WeAreFamily about two years ago when he sang a song with his daughter, encouraging her like a good dad does. My thoughts and prayers go out to his 6 kids, his wife and family!”<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Emma Slater<\/p>\n

\"<p>Emma<\/div>\n
\n

The DWTS pro, who competed with James on the show’s 28th season, wrote, “I\u2019m so devastated. He is and will always be family to me. Love you so much James. The man that you are, you can be proud of. So grateful that I got to be there to say goodbye to you.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Olivia Munn<\/p>\n

\"<p>Olivia<\/div>\n
\n

“I\u2019m so sorry,” she wrote. “My prayers are with you and your beautiful family.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Katharine McPhee Foster<\/p>\n

\"<p>Katharine<\/div>\n
\n

“This is just beyond devastating news,” she said. “I\u2019m so so sorry for your loss. God bless you all.”<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Paul Walter Hauser<\/p>\n

\"<p>Paul<\/span><\/div>\n
\n

“Love you, James,” Paul wrote on Instagram. “I 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.”<\/p>\n

“Thanks for the body of work,” he added, “and for being one of the good guys.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Daniella Karagach<\/p>\n

\"<p>Daniella<\/span><\/div>\n
\n

The Dancing With the Stars pro wrote, “Sending so much love and prayers.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Jenna Dewan<\/p>\n

\"<p>Jenna<\/div>\n
\n

“I will always and forever remember your sweet gentle soul,” she shared. “My love and prayers with Kim and the entire family.”<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Chad Michael Murray<\/p>\n

\"<p>Chad<\/span><\/div>\n
\n

“Sending love and light to your beautiful family,” the One Tree Hill alum wrote. “James was a giant. We\u2019re so so so sorry for what you\u2019re going through. His words, art and humanity inspired all of us- he inspired us to be better in all ways. God bless you guys.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Erin Foster<\/p>\n

\"<p>Erin<\/div>\n
\n

As she wrote on Instagram, “Sending so much love to your family.”<\/span>
<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Rumer Willis<\/p>\n

\"<p>Rumer<\/div>\n
\n

“My dear wonderful friends I love you all, I am keeping you all in my heart,” she wrote in the comments of the psot announcing James’ passing. “Im so lucky to have had you in my life for so long. James set the bar as a husband and a father and big brother (to me) I am so grateful to have witnessed your love and respect and care for each other.”<\/span><\/p>\n

She added, “Sending all the love and light to you all.”<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Alfonso Ribeiro<\/p>\n

\"<p>Alfonso<\/span><\/div>\n
\n

“I am broken,” the DWTS host wrote on Instagram. “So happy to have him in my life. Lucky I got to be there to say goodbye.”<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Sarah Michelle Gellar<\/p>\n

\"<p>Sarah<\/span><\/div>\n
\n

“I\u2019m so sad for your beautiful family,” she wrote on Instagram. “While James legacy will always live on, this is a huge loss to not just your family but the world. Fuck Cancer.”<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Hilaria Baldwin<\/p>\n

\"<p>Hilaria<\/div>\n
\n

She shared her love in the comments, writing, “Sending so much love. I\u2019m so sorry.”<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App<\/p>\n<\/div>\n