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Tributes are pouring in for “Dawson’s Creek” star James Van Der Beek after his death Wednesday, Feb. 11, after a long battle with Stage 3 colorectal cancer. He was 48.
Busy Philipps, his “Dawson’s Creek” co-star, shared a few behind-the-scenes photos from the making of the hit show on her Instagram in tribute to the actor, writing, “My heart is deeply hurting for all of us today.”
“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,” she wrote.
“But I am profoundly heartbroken for his incredible wife Kimberly and their six magical children,” she continued. “There is a go fund me 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.❤️”
“Dawson’s Creek” star James Van Der Beek died Feb. 11 after a battle with colorectal cancer. He was 48. (Casey Flanigan)
JAMES VAN DER BEEK, ‘DAWSON’S CREEK’ AND ‘VARSITY BLUES’ STAR, DEAD AT 48
Van Der Beek’s “Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 13” co-star Krysten Ritter shared a series of photos of her and the actor on her Instagram stories, writing, “really hard news today.”
Another slide read, “Beautiful human inside and out. 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 amazing wife Kimberly and their children.”
A third slide read, “love you so much James and fake James.”
Ritter paid tribute to Van Der Beek on her Instagram Story. (Krysten Ritter Instagram)
Mary Margaret Hume, who played Van Der Beek’s mother on “Dawson’s Creek,” posted two photos on Instagram, including a more recent photo of her and the actor, as well as a photo of the two of them on set of the popular teen show.
Rarely am I at a loss for words … today would be the exception,” she wrote in the caption. “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. #dawsonscreek #tvfamily.”
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Van Der Beek’s former love interest on “Dawson’s Creek,” Sasha Alexander, posted a series of photos from their time on the show, writing, “It feels like yesterday that we were sitting beneath those pink Wilmington sunsets, filming during the beautiful Dawson’s Creek years.”
“What made Dawson special was the man who played him,” she wrote. “James was a deep, thoughtful soul. He took his work seriously, not out of ego, but out of care. He cared about being a good actor. He cared about doing things well and he never took any of it for granted. But more than anything, he cared about people. He cared about his family. He cared about showing up fully.”
She then added that she was “heartbroken for everyone who loved him, especially his beautiful family,” and said her “prayers are with them.”
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“I will always be grateful that I got to stand in his light for a little while. That I got to laugh with him, go to prom with Dawson and grow up alongside him. He will live on in our memories, and in the kindness he left behind,” she added. “Rest in Peace, my friend. 🤍”
Many stars took to the comments section of the post announcing his death to share their grief and honor the actor.
Van Der Beek’s former love interest on “Dawson’s Creek” said she was “heartbroken.” (ABC/Lou Rocco)
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” star Sarah Michelle Gellar shared her tribute in the comments section, writing, “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— Cancer,” she added.
Gellar also shared a photo of her and Van Der Beek on her Instagram story from their time on their respective teen shows, writing, “I grew up alongside @vanderjames. He was one of the good guys. This is a true loss.”
Gellar shared a photo of her and Van Der Beek on her Instagram story. (Sarah Michelle Gellar Instagram)
Van Der Beek’s close friend, Nikki Reed, called the actor a “beautiful soul” in her tribute, adding that “anyone who had the privilege of knowing you is forever changed by you.”
“Your depth, your presence, your unparalleled love for your family,” she said. “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.”
His former “Dawson’s Creek” co-star, Chad Michael Murray, also took to the comments section, writing he is “sending love and light to your beautiful family.”
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Reed called Van Der Beek the “wisest person” she knew. (Rich Polk/Getty Images for Environmental Media Association)
“James was a giant,” he said. “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.”
“Sopranos” star Jamie Lynn Sigler also commented on the post, writing Van der Beek was “everything good in this world.”
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Melissa Joan Hart took to her Instagram to share a few photos from Van Der Beek’s appearance on her ’90s sitcom, “Clarissa Explains It All.”
“I’m heartbroken to hear that @vanderjames has passed away! 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,” Hart wrote.
“Gone way too soon but it seems like he put up one hell of a fight. We ran into each other at the singing game show #WeAreFamily about two years ago when he sang a song with his daughter, encouraging her like a good dad does. My thoughts and prayers go out to his 6 kids, his wife and family!
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Danica McKellar commented on Hart’s post, writing he was “a beautiful soul and a tragic loss.” She also shared the same video as David Boreanaz on her Instagram story.
McKellar also paid tribute to Van Der Beek. (FOX)
“RIP @vanderjames,” she wrote above the video. “Gutted to learn of his passing. If you have a moment, watch this post from last year. It’s a gift his has given us all.
“We are the luckiest to have been part of his tribe,” she wrote. “Fly high James. You were everything good in this world.”
Stacy Kiebler shared a photo of her and the actor sitting together outside while watching the sunset alongside her lengthy tribute, adding that “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. You don’t rush. You don’t scroll. You don’t worry about tomorrow. You sit. You listen. You hold hands. You watch the sky change colors and you let it change you too,” she wrote.
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She then shared the lessons he taught her “about being present” and said he “your wisdom, your hopes, and the promises we made to each other” the other night as they watched the sunset together.
“We talked about how this world can feel upside down…and how maybe heaven needs your spirit now to help steady us down here. And just as the sun slipped away, a shooting star crossed the sky…as if to remind us that none of this is random.”
Kiebler then called him “a gift” as well as “an incredible husband” and “an extraordinary dad” who always showed up for his wife and children.
Kiebler said the actor helped her learn to be more present. (JC Olivera/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images)
“It has been an honor to stand beside your family in these sacred moments. It’s pretty incredible how someone can fight so hard for so long, travel the world battling so much, and somehow still look so handsome doing it 🙂 That smile never left you. You have given this world so many gifts. Your presence was a bright light in my life, and in so many others.And while your physical body may no longer be here, I know your spirit is doing big things. I feel it already.”
She added: “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.
She concluded: Thank you for changing me. I will carry you with me. Always 🤍
Boreanaz shared his own tribute on his Instagram story, reposting a video Van Der Beek once posted on his Instagram on his 48th birthday in which he spoke about the rough year he had experienced. Boreanaz wrote “RIP brother” over the video.
He also left a comment under the announcement post, sending prayers to Van Der Beek’s family.
David Boreanaz sent his prayers to Van Der Beek’s family. (Andrew Toth/Getty Images)
“Prayers are with the family,” he wrote. “James was a straight up gentleman full of kindness, joy and love. I hold fond memories of conversations with him. Thank you brother , your light shines brighter 🙏🏻”
“Alias” star Jennifer Garner called his death “a heartbreaking loss.”
“So much love to you, Kimberly, and to your kids, as you navigate this tender time,” she added.
Rosie O’Donnell shared a photo of Van Der Beek smiling while on the red carpet, writing “too soon too young” in her caption.
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Hilaria Baldwin wrote: “Sending so much love. I’m so sorry,” in the comments section.
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His former “Dancing with the Stars” partner, Emma Slater wrote that she is “so devastated.”
“He is and will always be family to me love you so much James,” she said. “The man that you are, you can be proud of. So grateful that I got to be there to say goodbye to you.”
His former “Dancing with the Stars” partner also paid tribute. (Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images)
Lance Bass commented, “We are sending your beautiful family so much love. Safe travels James. You made this world a better place. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️”
Rumer Willis also paid tribute to the actor, writing she felt “lucky” to have had him in her life.
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“My dear wonderful friends I love you all, I am keeping you all in my heart,” she wrote. “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.”
Model Christie Brinkley commented on his dedication to his family, writing, “His kindness radiated, his love for his family was palpable it sparkled, everybody loved him. My most heartfelt condolences go out to his beautiful family he adored.”
Brinkley commented on his commitment to his family. (Matt Winkelmeyer)
Actress Olivia Munn commented, “I’m so sorry. My prayers are with you and your beautiful family.”
Country singer Parker McCollum wrote, “Man… life ain’t fair. God speed sir!”
“Full House” star Candace Cameron Bure shared an Instagram post announcing his death on her Instagram story, adding three broken heart emojis as a caption.
Alec Baldwin posted a video on Instagram sending his condolences to Van Der Beek’s family, writing in the caption, “Sad news about James Van Der Beek. Met him in LA. A true gentleman.”
“God i’m so sorry about James Van Der Beek,” he said in the video. “I never worked with him, but I knew him from his career and his work on TV and I met him a couple of times. My wife and I were in LA on business staying in a hotel, and he lived near there. We used to run into him at a coffee place, a breakfast place over there in Beverly Hills…what a lovely guy, what a lovely guy.
“What an amazingly sweet guy for a guy who had a big TV career like that. He was so popula. Just sad. I’m very sorry for his family and his children and his friends…We lost another good one. Again, i only met him in passing but he was a really, really decent guy. So I’m sad for him for his passing and my thoughts go out to his wife and his family.”
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“Guardians of the Galaxy” actress Zoe Saldana posted the announcement of his death on her Instagram story, writing, “This hits hard…Our deepestt condolences to his family.”
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