I was so saddened to hear about James Van Der Beek‘s passing at just 48. He was a really creative guy, and I know he’d been pouring his heart into several projects, including what I understand was a very personal memoir. It’s just heartbreaking to think of all the stories he won’t get to share.
Family and friends confirmed the actor passed away on Wednesday after a fight with stage three colorectal cancer.
Many celebrities have spoken out to honor the actor, and several of his former Dawson’s Creek colleagues—like Katie Holmes, Busy Philipps, and Chad Michael Murray—have also paid tribute.
According to Deadline, Van Der Beek was juggling several commitments – working on a memoir, filming a prequel to Legally Blonde, and spending time with his family.
We don’t know how much of the book he finished, or if it will be published after his death.
Even while struggling with health issues, the actor remained dedicated to his craft, continuing to appear in films and TV shows.
The film also features Mason Gooding, Algee Smith, Keith Powers, Jack Snyder, and Sofia Hublitz in supporting roles.
According to IMDB, the movie follows three friends whose fun road trip takes a dark turn when they accidentally see a murder happen inside a private, gated community. Now trapped and accused by the residents, their friendship is tested as they’re pursued by the community’s powerful and unsettling leader.
Film director John Burr shared his thoughts with Deadline about the experience of working with Van Der Beek.
First, I want to express my deepest sympathy and love to James’s family – his wife, Kimberly, and their children, Olivia, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, Joshua, and Jeremiah. We are grateful for the time we were able to spend with him, he said.
Burr also shared that everyone involved with the project felt lucky to have worked with the late star.
He was a valuable addition to the team, bringing both knowledge and a fresh outlook. He also formed strong, meaningful connections with his colleagues, both actors and crew.
The director also shared details about Van Der Beek’s acting, noting a significant contrast between his on-screen character and his personality when the cameras weren’t rolling.
He fully committed to playing the story’s villain – a flawed and unscrupulous character. But as soon as filming stopped, he’d instantly become the warm, down-to-earth person he naturally was.
Burr mentioned recent conversations with Van Der Beek, noting that even as his health was failing, the actor’s messages were enthusiastic and full of energy, often using exclamation points.
On Wednesday, Van Der Beek’s family confirmed his death at age 48 with a post on social media.
We are heartbroken to share that James David Van Der Beek passed away peacefully this morning. He faced his final days with courage, faith, and dignity.
We have much to share about his hopes, his kindness, and how deeply he valued every moment. We’ll share those thoughts when the time is right. Right now, we kindly ask for privacy and peace as we mourn the loss of our beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend.
He is remembered by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children: Olivia (15), Joshua (13), Annabel (12), Emilia (9), Gwendolyn (7), and Jeremiah (4).
Van Der Beek had announced his stage three colorectal cancer diagnosis in November 2024.
According to a source who spoke with the Daily Mail, the individual had stopped receiving treatment some time ago because doctors determined there were no further options, and the cancer was rapidly progressing.
After news of his death spread, a GoFundMe campaign was created to help his family, and it quickly received over $1 million in donations.
Kimberly shared on Instagram that her friends made a support link for her and her children during a difficult time, expressing both thankfulness and sadness.
Before he died, Van Der Beek had finished filming a small part in the Legally Blonde prequel, Elle.
Lexi Minetree will play Elle Woods, the iconic character originally made famous by Reese Witherspoon in the Legally Blonde films. Witherspoon is also helping to create this new project as a producer.
The actor, who recently passed away, played Dean Wilson, a candidate for mayor who also worked as a school superintendent. He filmed his parts for the project in May 2025.
The Amazon Prime Video series is set to release on the streaming site on July 1, 2026.
The star’s last Instagram post, from January 25th, was a celebration of his daughter’s and father’s birthdays.
James Van Der Beek became famous for his role as Dawson Leery in the popular TV show Dawson’s Creek, which ran for six seasons between 1998 and 2003.
He shared the screen with stars like Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, Busy Philipps, Chad Michael Murray, and Michelle Williams.
Throughout his Hollywood career, Van Der Beek appeared in several other popular projects, such as the films Varsity Blues (1999) and The Rules of Attraction (2002), as well as the television series How I Met Your Mother.
People shared their sadness and offered sympathy to his family and friends on social media Wednesday after hearing the news.
Oh my gosh, it absolutely broke my heart to see! Some of his Dawson’s Creek family actually posted about him, and Katie Holmes shared the most beautiful, heartbreaking letter on Instagram. I seriously couldn’t stop crying. It was just…everything.
She acknowledged she’s still grieving his passing and sent her condolences to James Van Der Beek’s wife, Kimberly, and their six kids.
In a handwritten note, Holmes wrote, ‘James, thank you. It’s a special experience to share imagination with someone—to both inhabit the same world of make-believe and feel safe expressing ourselves.’
The actress further reflected on memories they had shared while working on Dawson’s Creek together.
Holmes went on, describing a life defined by courage, kindness, and putting others first. He spoke of inner strength and a deep enjoyment of life, lived with honesty and purpose – like creating a work of art. He used this to illustrate a fulfilling journey, exemplified by a strong marriage and a loving family of six children – the hallmarks of a true hero.
I’m deeply saddened by his passing, feeling both the pain of his absence and immense thankfulness for the impact he had on my life.
She finished by saying, ‘Kimberly and the kids, we’ll always be here for you, with all our love and support.’
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2026-02-12 20:49