Heartfelt Tributes Pour In for Dawson's Creek Star James Van Der Beek

Sat Apr 04 2026 06:09:40 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The entertainment world mourns the loss of James Van Der Beek, beloved actor from Dawson's Creek, as he succumbs to bowel cancer at age 48. Co-stars and friends share emotional tributes highlighting his profound impact and legacy.

James Van Der Beek, known for his role in Dawson's Creek, has passed away at 48 due to bowel cancer. Fellow stars, including Busy Philipps and Mary-Margaret Humes, express their condolences and remember him as a vibrant friend and father. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support his family.

Dawson's Creek actors have led tributes to James Van Der Beek, who has died aged 48 after suffering from bowel cancer.

The star was diagnosed with the disease in the latter half of 2023 but only revealed the news in November 2024.

Among those who reacted to Van Der Beek's death was his Dawson's Creek co-star Busy Philipps, who played a university roommate of Joey Potter, portrayed by Katie Holmes.

In a post on Instagram, Philipps wrote: 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.

She urged her 2.4m followers to help out his family through the online fundraiser that they had set up to help with medical bills and other expenses.

The GoFundMe page posted online on Wednesday solicited donations to assist Van Der Beek's widow Kimberley and their six children, whose ages range from four to 15.

I am profoundly heartbroken for his incredible wife Kimberly and their six magical children, Philipps said, sharing photos from their time on the teen drama, which aired between 1998 and 2003.

Mary-Margaret Humes, who played Van Der Beek's mother on Dawson's Creek shared an Instagram tribute in honour of her late co-star on Wednesday.

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, she wrote alongside two photos of them together.

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.

Philipps and Van Der Beek reunited onscreen in 2012 for an episode of the ABC comedy Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23, in which Van Der Beek played a fictionalised version of himself.

Actress Krysten Ritter, Van Der Beek's co-star in Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23, remembered him as a beautiful human inside and out.

Ritter wrote on Instagram: Smart, funny, empathic, 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.

Throughout this difficult time, actors and friends continue to share their fond memories and express heartfelt condolences, celebrating the legacy of James Van Der Beek.