Celebs React To James Van Der Beek's Death At 48

James Van Der Beek has died at the age of 48 after a battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer, his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, confirmed on Feb. 11. "Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning," Kimberly wrote alongside a photo of her late husband on Instagram. "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 Dawson Creek star confirmed his cancer diagnosis with People in November 2024. "I have colorectal cancer,” he told the outlet at the time. “I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family.” In the wake of his passing, celebrities have been mourning the actor.

Michelle Williams

Michelle Williams, who acted opposite Van Der Beek on Dawson’s Creek, remembered the actor on March 1. After winning an Actor’s Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series for her work in Dying for Sex, Williams spoke to Entertainment Tonight about her late friend.

"I'm thinking about him, and I'm thinking about his family constantly,” she told the outlet. “It's been such an amazing thing, as James's friend and a friend of the family, to see the response in the wake of his passing.”

Katie Holmes

Katie Holmes, who also worked with Van Der Beek on Dawson’s Creek, shared a handwritten note about his death on Instagram.

“James, thank you. To share a space with your imagination is sacred — breathing the same air in the land of make believe and trusting that each other's hearts are safe in their expression,” Holmes wrote. “These are some of the memories, along with laughter, conversations about life, James Taylor songs — adventures of a unique youth. Compassion, bravery, selflessness and strength. An appreciation for life with the integrity that life is art — creating a beautiful marriage, six loving children — the journey of a hero.”

“I mourn this loss with a heart holding the reality of his absence and deep gratitude for his imprint on it,” she continued. “To Kimberly and the children, we are here for you always. And will always be there to shower you with love and compassion.”

Joshua Jackson

Joshua Jackson, the final member of Dawson’s Creek’s core group, didn’t speak on Van Der Beek’s death until a March 10 apperance on Today.

“I mean I think it hits in a variety of different ways,” Jackson said. “For me as a father now, I think the enormity of the tragedy for his family hits in a very different way than just as a colleague, so I think the process is just ongoing. He and I shared this amazing time at a very young point in our lives. I know both of us look back at that time with great fondness, but I will also say that I know I’m really just a footnote in what he accomplished in his life.”

“He became what we usually just call a ‘good man,’” Jackson continued. “A man of the kind of belief, the kind of faith that allowed him to face the impossible with grace. An unbelievable partner and husband. A real man that showed up for his family and a beautiful, kind, interested, dedicated father. On the one hand that’s beautiful. I think he did lead a very good life and he was a good man, the tragedy of that loss for his family is enormous.”

Busy Philipps

Van Der Beek’s Dawson’s Creek co-star, Busy Philipps, posted a touching tribute to him on Instagram. “My heart is deeply hurting for all of us today,” Philipps wrote. “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. But I am profoundly heartbroken for his incredible wife Kimberly and their six magical children. There is a GoFundMe 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.❤️”

Kevin Williamson

Dawson’s Creek creator Kevin Williamson discussed Van Der Beek in an Esquire profile, published March 2. “James and I talked about rebooting Dawson's Creek several times,” he told the outlet. “He wanted to do it. And in fact, there was a moment where he was going to write it—and he had a really great idea for it. He had a beautiful plan. Then I think he got on a show and everybody got busy. It never happened. But there was a lot of talk about it.”

Williamson also discussed casting Van Der Beek as the show’s lead. “I knew him when he was so young,” he said. “I can remember him coming to audition.” As the creator of the show, he recognized they’d found their Dawson right away, but the network and other producers were hesitant. "I don't know what they said about him, but they didn't want him,” Williamson recalls. “And I was like, ‘Are you crazy? What's wrong with you? That's Dawson. Trust me.’”

Mary-Margaret Humes

Mary-Margaret Humes, who played Van Der Beek’s mother on Dawson’s Creek, shared a heartfelt Instagram post honoring the star. “Rarely am I at a loss for words … today would be the exception. 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. Our last conversations … merely a few days ago … are forever sitting softly in my heart for safe keeping. To our extended Dawson’s Creek family of friends … please be respectful of our silences at the moment as Beautiful Kimberly and family have asked for peaceful privacy for now.”

Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon mourned the actor on her Instagram Stories. "Devastated to hear about James Van Der Beek," she wrote. "What an extraordinary, talented man who also showed great kindness and grace in every action. Praying all the angels watch over his family during this difficult time."

Van Der Beek’s final role is a recurring guest star spot in Elle, the upcoming prequel series that Witherspoon is producing, following her Legally Blonde character’s high school years.

Chad Michael Murray

“Sending love and light to your beautiful family,” Chad Michael Murray, who played Charlie Todd on Dawson’s Creek, commented on the announcement. “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🙏”

Kerr Smith

Kerr Smith, who played Jack McPhee on the WB series, wrote: “I’m so grateful for being able to call James a brother. I’ll miss him deeply. Rest easy. ❤️”

Krysten Ritter

Krysten Ritter, who co-starred with Van Der Beek in the sitcom Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23, mourned her friend in her Instagram Stories. “Beautiful human inside and out,” she captioned a throwback photo of them. “Smart, funny, empathetic, kind, talented, and just pure magic — I’m so grateful for our friendship, and so heartbroken. All my love goes out to his wife Kimberly and their children.”

Jennifer Garner

“What a heartbreaking loss,” Jennifer Garner wrote on the announcement. “So much love to you, Kimberly, and to your kids, as you navigate this tender time. ♥️

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Sarah Michelle Gellar posted an Instagram story, sharing a photo of her and Van Der Beek, calling him “one of the good guys.” She also commented on the announcement: “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. F*ck Cancer.”

Rumer Willis

Rumer Willis commented on the Instagram announcement, “My dear wonderful friends I love you all, I am keeping you all in my heart. Im so lucky to have had you in my life for so long. James set the bar as a husband and a father and big brother (to me) I am so grateful to have witnessed your love and respect and care for each other. Sending all the love and light to you all.”

Jenna Johnson

Dancing With The Stars’ Jenna Johnson also commented on the post, “An incredible father, husband, artist, and so much more. Sending your family all the love and comfort ♥️.”

Jamie-Lynn Sigler

Sopranos star Jamie-Lynn Sigler commented, “We are the luckiest to have been part of his tribe. Fly high James. You were everything good in this world. ❤️”

Nikki Reed

Nikki Reed chimed in with a heartfelt message: “You beautiful soul. Anyone who had the privilege of knowing you is forever changed by you. Your depth, your presence, your unparalleled love for your family. The connection you and Kimberly have that transcends lifetimes. You still hold the prize for wisest person I’ve ever known. Every piece of advice, every nugget of life experience you shared was a treasure I’ll hold close forever. And don’t even get me started on the gift you had with words. When you picked up your pen, you made all of us remember what tenderness feels like on a page. Oh James, you are so so so deeply loved. And so so deeply missed. My heart aches and I’m sure the ripples of those aches will be felt forever. And Kimberly, we are all wrapping you and those sweet babies in love. My special sister, you and James are the greatest example of love I’ve ever known. Here for you in every way, forever. ❤️”

Lance Bass

“We are sending your beautiful family so much love,” Lance Bass commented. “Safe travels James. You made this world a better place. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️”

Kate Walsh

Kate Walsh commented, “Im 💔…sending love, light & strength to you dear @vanderkimberly 🕊️.”

Sophia Bush

“So damn sad,” Sophia Bush wrote. “Sending you so much love, friend. ❤️‍🩹

Emma Slater

Emma Slater, Van Der Beek’s DWTS partner, shared a heartfelt comment on the announcement post: “I’m so devastated. 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.”

Jenna Dewan

“I will always and forever remember your sweet gentle soul,” Jenna Dewan wrote. “My love and prayers with Kim and the entire family❤️🙏🏻”

Zoe Saldaña

Following his death, Van Der Beek’s friends created a GoFundMe for his family — the page has already amassed over $1 million, and celebrities have made contributions. Per Page Six, Zoe Saldaña gave a donation of $2,5000 per month. Jonathan Chu, Derek Hough, and Kaley Cuoco were also among the list of donors.