Actors from Dawson’s Creek have paid tribute to James Van Der Beek, describing him as “one in a billion”, after he died aged 48 following a battle with bowel cancer.
His family announced his death on Wednesday, saying he faced his final days “with courage, faith and grace”.
Van Der Beek rose to fame playing Dawson Leery in the US teen drama, which ran for six seasons from 1998 to 2003.
Co-star Busy Philipps posted a tribute on Instagram, months after a cast reunion was organised to help raise money for his cancer treatment.
“My heart is deeply hurting for all of us today,” she wrote, adding that she was “profoundly heartbroken” for his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their six children.
“James Van Der Beek was one in a billion and he will be forever missed.”
Dawson’s Creek Cast (L-R) Katie Holmes, James Van Der Beek, Kerr Smith, Michelle Williams (2nd from right) and Joshua Jackson pictured together in 2003
Kerr Smith, who appeared alongside Van Der Beek for five seasons, said he was grateful to have been able to call him “a brother”, adding: “I’ll miss him deeply. Rest easy.”
In September, the reunion event was organised in support of the actor and the charity F Cancer. The night was attended by former co-stars including Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson.
Michelle Williams and Katie Holmes embrace onstage as Mary Beth Peil, John Wesley Shipp, Mary-Margaret Humes, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Joshua Jackson and Busy Phillips attend the Dawson’s Creek reunion in September 2025
Van Der Beek had planned to attend but was too unwell after contracting two stomach viruses. His role on the night was taken by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator of Hamilton, who said his “whole heart” was with the family.
In a statement released by Kimberly Van Der Beek, the family said: “Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. 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.”
The couple married in 2010 and share six children.
Read more:
James Van Der Beek: Dawson’s Creek heart-throb and family man
One Tree Hill actor Chad Michael Murray, who appeared in Dawson’s Creek for 12 episodes, described Van Der Beek as a “giant” and said his “words, art and humanity inspired all of us”.
Mary-Margaret Humes, who played Dawson’s mother, said she was at a “loss for words”, calling him her “gracious warrior”.
Van Der Beek’s film and TV credits included Varsity Blues, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back and CSI: Cyber. He also played a fictionalised version of himself in Don’t Trust the B**** in Apartment 23 and appeared in the first season of the FX drama Pose.
Kimberly and James Van Der Beek married in 2010 and share six children
Tributes also came from celebrities including Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ben Stiller, Selma Blair, Alec Baldwin, Melissa Joan Hart, Christie Brinkley and Rosie O’Donnell.
Reese Witherspoon wrote on Instagram: “Devastated to hear about James Van Der Beek. What an extraordinary, talented man who also showed great kindness and grace in every action.”
Ashton Kutcher posted on X that he had “the good fortune of knowing and growing with this guy”, while Alyssa Milano said he loved being a husband and a father, adding: “There are few who cherish that role more deeply than he did.” Jennifer Garner called his death a “heartbreaking” loss.
A link to a GoFundMe page set up to support his family was posted on Kimberly Van Der Beek’s Instagram Stories. A message on the page said the costs of his medical care and the extended fight against cancer had left the family without funds. More than $1m (about €842,000) has been donated so far.
Alfonso Ribeiro, who said he is godfather to one of Van Der Beek’s daughters, wrote on Instagram that the actor “changed my life”. Van Der Beek also appeared on Dancing with the Stars in the US in 2019.
Source: Press Association