- James Van Der Beek passed away after battling cancer on Feb. 11.
- The actor, who died at 48 years old, was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in August 2024.
- Here are all the celebrities who have paid tribute to the late actor after his tragic death.
James Van Der Beek passed away after a battle with cancer on Wednesday, February 11. A rep for the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office told TMZ that James’s death was reported to them at 6:44 a.m. His exact cause of death has yet to be revealed, but he had been diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in August 2024.
The actor, who was best known for his roles on Dawson’s Creek and Varsity Blues, was only 48 years old. James’s former co-stars and friends throughout the years have penned moving tributes in the wake of his tragic death. Read them all here.
Kimberly Van Der Beek
James shared six children with his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, who announced the news of his death on Instagram.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” Kimberly wrote. “He 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. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”
Katie Holmes
Katie, who played James’s main love interest, Joey, on Dawson’s Creek across six seasons, penned an emotional handwritten letter for her late co-star on Instagram.
“I formed some words with a heavy heart. This is a lot to process,” she captioned her post. “I am so grateful to have shared in a piece of James’s journey. He is beloved. Kimberly, we love you and will be here always for you and your beautiful children.”
Noah Beck
James played the father of Noah Beck’s character in the Sidelined movies. The TikToker-turned-celeb mourned the loss of his mentor on his Instagram Stories.
“Man, this one hurts. James u were the best, so kind, so caring, so thoughtful, so talented, great father, and just an absolute inspiration of a human being,” Noah wrote. “I feel so incredibly lucky to have met u and share the screen with u as my father. U were the best mentor I could ask for… My thoughts are w u and ur family … fly high JVB.”
Busy Phillips
Busy, who worked with James on Dawson’s Creek and Don’t Trust the B—— in Apartment 23, also wrote a thoughtful tribute following his death on Instagram.
“My heart is deeply hurting for all of us today…every 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,” she wrote.
She continued, “But I am profoundly heartbroken for his incredible wife Kimberly and their six magical children. There is a go fund me for them to help out and i’ll put the link in my stories. James Van Der Beek was one in a billion and he will be forever missed and i don’t know what else to say. i am just so so sad. He was my friend and i loved him and i’m so grateful for our friendship all these years.”
Sarah Michelle Gellar
James’s The Rules of Attraction co-star shared a short and sweet message on her Instagram Stories.
“I grew up alongside [James]. He was one of the good guys. This is a true loss,” she said.
Derek Hough
The Dancing With the Stars judge posted a clip of the late actor (and former DWTS contestant), writing, in part, “What a wise, thoughtful, loving man. Thank you, James, for your courage, your strength, and for sharing your light even in your darkest moments.”
Melissa Joan Hart
Melissa, who shared her first on-screen kiss with James on Clarissa Explains It All, shared her sentiments on social media.
“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,” she said, in part.
Alyssa Milano
The Charmed star called James “a unicorn of a man” in her lengthy Instagram tribute.
Alfonso Rebeiro
The Dancing With the Stars and America’s Funniest Home Videos host revealed he is the godfather of James’s daughter, Gwen, in his tribute.
Rumer Willis
Rumer, who likely met James through their shared experience on Dancing With the Stars, shared a link to a fundraiser for his family following their tremendous loss.
Emma Slater
James’s DWTS partner Emma referred to the actor as her “big brother” in her post, writing in part, “All those who had the pleasure of having you in their lives are blessed. Forever changed by your brilliance.”
Krysten Ritter
The Don’t Trust the B—— star shared a series of Instagram Stories reflecting on James’s passing, calling him a “beautiful human inside and out.”
