Dawson’s Creek Cast and Others Pay Tribute to James Van Der Beek

The death of actor James Van Der Beek, best known for starring in ’90s teen drama Dawson’s Creek, at age 48 has prompted an outpouring of tributes and condolences from Hollywood and beyond, as well as a fundraising effort for Van Der Beek’s family to help deal with the financial stress from his years of cancer treatment.

“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” a post on Van Der Beek’s verified Instagram account, which also tagged his wife Kimberly, announced Wednesday. “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.”

Van Der Beek announced in November 2024 that he was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in August 2023, telling People magazine at the time that he had been “privately dealing” and was “taking steps” to resolve it with family. Among the ways Van Der Beek tried to offset expensive treatment costs was to sell memorabilia.

In the wake of his death, Van Der Beek’s Instagram stories shared a link to a GoFundMe page, seeking donations for his wife and their six children. The fundraiser page says that the costs of Van Der Beek’s medical care and the extended fight against his cancer “have left the family out of funds” and that after his death, his wife and children “are facing an uncertain future.”

Within 24 hours of the fundraiser’s posting, more than 20,000 people donated, bringing the proceeds to over $1 million and growing. Van Der Beek’s wife Kimberly thanked those who supported their family, saying in an Instagram story that her friends created the link to support her and her children. She added: “With gratitude and a broken heart.”

Dawson’s Creek

Van Der Beek, who was born in Cheshire, Conn., in 1977 and is the eldest of three children, started his acting career in theater, making an off-Broadway debut in 1993. He went on to have roles in the 1995 film Angus and the 1996 film I Love You, I Love You Not, as well as a few TV appearances.

But it was the WB show Dawson’s Creek, which premiered in 1998, that catapulted Van Der Beek to stardom. He played the soft-eyed teen film buff Dawson Leery. In a 2013 interview with Larry King, Van Der Beek recalled how he auditioned for the role and how he almost didn’t get cast because of misgivings from executives, but “Kevin Williamson, who created the show, had to put his foot down and say, ‘Listen, I created this guy, I know this guy. This kid is this guy.’”

The show, which ran for six seasons, became a cornerstone of American teen television and is considered a pioneer in the genre. 

Many of Van Der Beek’s co-stars from the show have since expressed their grief at his passing.

Katie Holmes, who played Dawson’s love interest Joey Potter, posted a handwritten letter to Van Der Beek on Instagram. “Thank you,” it began. “To share space with your imagination is sacred—breathing the same air in the land of make believe and trusting that each others’ hearts are safe in their expression...” She also extended a message to Van Der Beek’s wife Kimberly and his children: “We are here for you always, and will always be there to shower you with love and compassion.” 

Mary-Margaret Humes, who played Dawson’s mother Gale, shared photos with Van Der Beek on Instagram and recalled that she spoke to him just days before his death. “James, my gracious warrior, you fought a hard battle against all odds with such quiet strength and dignity. I will always love and admire you for that,” she posted. “Our last conversations … merely a few days ago … are forever sitting softly in my heart for safe keeping.”

Busy Philipps, who portrayed Joey’s college roommate Audrey Liddell in the show, posted on Instagram that Van Der Beek was “one in a billion” and that she was “profoundly heartbroken” for his family: “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.”

Chad Michael Murray, who appeared in several episodes of Dawson’s Creek, called Van Der Beek “a giant” whose “words, art and humanity inspired all of us.” Kerr Smith, who played Jack McPhee in the show, described Van Der Beek as a “brother” whom he’ll miss deeply. 

The show’s official Instagram account also paid tribute to its star and acknowledged his character’s impact on American TV: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of James Van Der Beek. His iconic portrayal of Dawson Leery helped define a generation of television for fans and continues to resonate with audiences today.”

An American pop culture icon

Dawson’s Creek helped cement Van Der Beek’s status as a teen icon and opened up more opportunities for him. Van Der Beek’s fame only grew when he starred in Varsity Blues (1999), Texas Rangers (2001) and The Rules of Attraction (2002). 

Several of his contemporaries extended their condolences. Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played Buffy in the 1997 horror drama series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, posted in her Instagram stories a photo with Van Der Beek and wrote that he was “one of the good guys” whose death was “a true loss.” Melissa Joan Hart of Sabrina the Teenage Witch fame posted on Instagram a photo of her and Van Der Beek sharing the screen on the ‘90s Nickelodeon sitcom Clarissa Explains It All: “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. Gone way too soon but it seems like he put up one hell of a fight.”

Austin Nichols, who had scenes with Van Der Beek in TV series One Tree Hill, posted on Instagram that Van Der Beek “represented something to aspire to.”

Filmmaker Kevin Smith, who directed Van Der Beek in the 2001 movie Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back and its 2019 sequel, recalled how the actor was even open to playing a cartoonish version of himself. “James was simply too young to die,” he wrote. “James didn’t just lend us his name and celebrity, he came to PLAY, making memorable moments in forgettable films. One of the best things you can do for a person is dream their dreams with or for them - so I’ll always remember #jamesvanderbeek as the generous, funny, warm, self-effacing superstar who twice helped me make my dreams come true, 18 years apart.”

From 2012 to 2013, Van Der Beek played a fictionalized version of himself on the ABC sitcom Don’t Trust the B---- in Apartment 23, where he starred alongside Krysten Ritter. Ritter posted photos of her and Van Der Beek on her Instagram stories, where she called the late actor a “beautiful human inside and out” and “pure magic.”

In 2017, Van Der Beek wrote, co-produced, and starred in What Would Diplo Do?, a miniseries in which he portrayed DJ and music producer Diplo. Critics lauded the show, particularly Van Der Beek’s performance.

Dancing With the Stars

In Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23, Van Der Beek’s fictional self joined Dancing With the Stars. Five years after the sitcom ended, the real Van Der Beek followed suit, joining the dance reality competition’s 28th season.

Host Alfonso Ribeiro, who is a godfather to Van Der Beek’s daughter, dedicated an Instagram post to the late actor: “He was my true friend brother and life guide. I was with him through this horrible journey to beat cancer. His family and friends went on this roller coaster ride. The highs when it looked like he had it beat to the breaking lows of it coming back.” 

“I love you James and know I have a guardian angel watching over me,” Ribeiro added. “Being able to say goodbye this weekend will always live with me.”

Italian choreographer Bruno Tonioli, one of Dancing With the Stars’ judges, described Van Der Beek in an Instagram post as “a true gentleman and the ultimate professional.” 

Julianne Hough, another host of the show, posted on her Instagram stories: “James, you created a legacy of love and light. Wrapping your beautiful family in love and protection.”

Emma Slater, who was Van Der Beek’s dance partner in the show, wrote on Instagram that the actor was her “big brother” and thanked him for his positive influence on her life. “It started with being dance partners and I was beyond excited to be dancing with you, and it continued into the deepest of friendships,” Slater wrote. “I’m lucky to have known the man that you are. You have done so much, helped so many people. You’ll be forever in my heart.”

Slater shared a video of the two of them dancing his wife Kimberly’s favorite dance, the samba. “He loved to dance!” she wrote. “And I know he’s still dancing.”