Hollywood Mourns ‘Beyond Devastating’ Loss of James Van Der Beek: ‘One of the Good Guys’

Hollywood is mourning the loss of James Van Der Beek, the “Dawson’s Creek” star who died on Wednesday at the age of 48.

via: Rolling Stone

The legacy of James Van Der Beek is being celebrated by the late actor’s former cast members, friends, and Hollywood peers following his death at the age of 48. Van Der Beek, who starred in Dawson’s Creek and Varsity Blues, among other films and series, was battling colorectal cancer and is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children.

“Sending love and light to your beautiful family,” Van Der Beek’s One Tree Hill co-star Chad Michael Murray wrote on Instagram. “James was a giant. We’re so so so sorry for what you’re going through. His words, art and humanity inspired all of us- he inspired us to be better in all ways. God bless you guys.” Sarah Michelle Gellar added, “I’m 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. Fuck Cancer.”

Murray and Gellar were among the names who shared tributes in the comments beneath the post announcing Van Der Beek’s death. “Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” the Van Der Beek family wrote in the caption. “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.”

“I’m so devastated,” wrote Emma Slater, who appeared on Dancing With the Stars alongside Van Der Beek. “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.”

Mary-Margaret Humes, the actor’s onscreen mother on Dawson’s Creek, remembered her co-star in a heartfelt social media post. “James, my gracious warrior, you fought a hard battle against all odds with such quiet strength and dignity,” she wrote. “I will always love and admire you for that. Our last conversations … merely a few days ago … are forever sitting softly in my heart for safe keeping.”

Stacy Keibler reflected on Van Der Beek’s final days in an extensive tribute on Instagram. “Spending these final days with you has been a true gift from God.
I have never been so present in my life. When you know time is sacred, you don’t waste a single breath,” she said. “We may have lost a good one here on earth… but heaven gained something extraordinary. 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.”

Actress Jaime Ray Newman, who acted opposite Van Der Beek in the stage production The Gift, became a close family friend. “We are absolutely devastated. James, you were a once in a lifetime friendship,” she wrote on Instagram, sharing a photo of their families together. “You and @vanderkimberly were by our sides in our darkest moments of grief and our greatest joys. Our love for you continues beyond space and time. Rest easy dear dear friend.”

Roger Avary, who directed Van Der Beek in The Rules of Attraction, published a tribute on X. “I’ve today learned that my dear friend James Van Der Beek, with whom I worked with on The Rules of Attraction, who has been a pillar of strength to me and my family during the hardest of times, passed away last night,” he said. “I knew he was fighting a terrible battle with courage and compassion, and I’m blessed that we had just recently had a very philosophical and existential phone conversation. I have never known anyone else quite like him, and rarely felt so close a working connection, and my heart is broken at the loss, and my thoughts and prayers are with his wife and children. God bless you, James. I love you forever.”

Noah Beck, who played the son of Van Der Beek’s character in the film series Sidelined, shared a photo they took together on set. “Man, this one hurts,” he wrote in an Instagram Story post. “James u were the best. So kind, so caring, so thoughtful, so talented, great father, and just an absolute inspiration of a human being. 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.”

The filmmaker Jason Reitman shared a tribute on his Instagram Story, writing, “Missing my friend James Van Der Beek I feel so lucky to have experienced his kindness, authenticity, and nobility on set and in friendship. Just heartbroken.” Lin-Manuel Miranda posted a photo with Kimberly and the Van Der Beek kids, writing, “My whole heart is with the [Van Der Beek] family today.” Krysten Ritter, who appeared in Don’t Trust the B—- In Apartment 23 with Van Der Beek, who played himself in the show, shared a photo they captured in New York. “Really hard news today,” she said.

Musician Gabe Saporta and his wife, Erin Fetherston, shared a joint post about their close friend. “You were loved by the whole world, but to us — you were Uncle James. Thank you for your friendship. For always showing up. For being the one who would go the extra mile,” they said. “What an honor it was to have a seat at your table and to call you a best friend. The space you leave behind can never be filled, but we will do our best to shower your beautiful family with love and remember to keep dancing in your honor — because you always knew the importance of joy.”

Musicians Banks and Hayley Kiyoko also shared comments on Instagram, respectively. “I am so incredibly sorry for you and your family,” Kiyoko wrote. “He always led with kindness and love. His light will carry on.” Banks added, “Sending so much love my heart is with your family.”

“We are sending your beautiful family so much love. Safe travels James. You made this world a better place,” Lance Bass said in a comment. Katharine Foster shared, “This is just beyond devastating news. I’m so so sorry for your loss. God bless you all.” Another comment, from Jennifer Garner, read, “What a heartbreaking loss. So much love to you, Kimberly, and to your kids, as you navigate this tender time.”

“Love you, James. I know you’re in Heaven being pampered with love. The Van Der Beeks will be in our daily prayers and we’ll be drumming up some money to support your beautiful family. Thanks for the body of work and for being one of the good guys,” said Paul Walter Hauser, who reposted the Van Der Beek family’s GoFundMe fundraiser.