Friends and co-stars are remembering James Van Der Beek, the heartthrob actor who became a household name playing Dawson Leery in the hit 1998–2003 series “Dawson’s Creek.”
Van Der Beek, 48, died Wednesday morning. His family announced his passing in a statement posted to Instagram, saying he “met his final days with courage, faith, and grace.”
Van Der Beek, who was raised in Cheshire, Conn., made a surprise appearance at a “Dawson’s Creek” reunion charity event in September and auctioned off “Dawson’s Creek” memorabilia in November to help cover the treatment he was receiving for colorectal cancer.
Busy Philipps, one of Van Der Beek’s “Dawson’s Creek” costars, said in an Instagram post featuring pictures of the two on set together, “My heart is deeply hurting for all of us … every person who knew James and loved him.” She also drew attention to the GoFundMe that Van Der Beek’s widow, Kimberly Van Der Beek, has set up to help cover the family’s expenses, as treatment for Van Der Beek’s condition left the family “out of funds.”
Several of Van Der Beek’s other “Dawson’s Creek” co-stars commented under the Instagram post announcing his passing, including Chad Michael Murray, who wrote that Van Der Beek “was a giant … His words, art and humanity inspired all of us.”
Stacy Keibler, WWE hall of famer and self-proclaimed “wellness warrior” posted a photo to her Instagram with Van Der Beek in his “final days.”
“Spending these final days with you has been a true gift from God.
I have never been so present in my life,” Keibler wrote in the accompanying caption.
She said she and Van Der Beek had watched the sunset together in recent days, going on to call him “steady, strong, devoted” to his family.
“I will think of you every time I watch a sunset. Every time I see a rainbow stretch across the sky. I’ll know you’re there,” Keibler said.
Sarah Shahi, who guest-starred in season six of the show, wrote that she was sending “so much love” to his family.
Other stars also paid tribute under the post, including actress Sarah Michelle Gellar, whose comment reads in part, “While James’ legacy will always live on, this is a huge loss to not just your family but the world.”
Dancer and singer Julianne Hough reposted the family’s post to her Instagram story, where she said that Van Der Beek “created a legacy of love and light.”
An Instagram post from the “Dawson’s Creek,” Sony Pictures TV and Sony Pics at Home accounts honoured his “iconic” portrayal of Dawson Leery, which “helped define a generation of television for fans and continues to resonate with audiences today.”
Actor Ashton Kutcher, with whom Van Der Beek worked on the movie “Texas Rangers,” posted to X that he “had the good fortune of knowing and growing” with him.
Van Der Beek hosted the Saturday Night Live for the eleventh episode of Season 24. In a post on X, SNL posted the start of his monologue as a tribute to the late actor.
Roger Avary, director of The Rules of Attraction, in which Van Der Beek starred, also posted a heartfelt tribute on X.
“I’ve today learned that my dear friend James Van Der Beek … who has been a pillar of strength to me and my family during the hardest of times, passed away last night,” he said. Avary said he recently had a “very philosophical and existential” phone call with Van Der Beek, and remembered his courage and compassion.
“God bless you, James. I love you forever,” his message ended.
With files from the Associated Press.
