‘Dawson’s Creek’ cast reacts to James Van Der Beek’s death at 48

this dawson creek Actors are mourning the death of their co-star James Van Der Beek After his death at the age of 48.

Van Der Beek’s family confirmed on Wednesday, February 11, that the actor, who played the eponymous character on the hit ’90s teen TV series, died in a battle Have colorectal cancer.

“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed away peacefully this morning. He lived his final days with courage, faith and grace,” said James’ wife, Kimberly VanderBeekshared a statement via his Instagram at the time. “There is much to share about his wishes, love for humanity and the sanctity of time. Those days will come. For now, we ask for peaceful privacy as we mourn our dear husband, father, son, brother and friend.”

Van Der Beek announced in November 2024 that he had stage III colorectal cancer. His Capeside team — including joshua jackson, Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, Kerr Smith A year later, in September 2025, they held a one-night gathering at Dawson’s Creek to raise funds for F Cancer and Van Der Beek, and performed a live reading of the show’s pilot at the Richard Rodgers Theater in New York City.

“James and I were actually talking about (a reunion) in April or May. We were doing a convention together in Pittsburgh and he mentioned that Michelle wanted to do it and put it together,” Smith, 53, Exclusive story us weeklyy In September 2025, tell the story of the first reunion. “As far as I know, this is Michelle’s baby. She gets the credit. I’m glad she did it because it’s going to be fun to see all these people. When I was pitched, I thought, ‘Of course, I’m in. This is awesome.’ I mean, that helps, James.”

Although Van der Beek finally Did not attend the eventHe was forced to drop out of school at the last minute due to the stomach flu, Lin-Manuel Miranda He stepped in and read Dawson’s part while Dawson was away. The reunion sold out in 12 minutes, with tickets ranging from $199 to $1,200, raising thousands of dollars for charity.

dawson creek Airing on Warner Bros. from 1998 to 2003, it followed Van Der Beek’s Dawson Leary as he navigated the ups and downs of his teenage years with his on-again, off-again love interest Joey Porter (Holmes), best friend Pacey Witt (Jackson) and mysterious new neighbor Jean Lindley (Williams). Smith, Meredith Monroe, busy phillips, John Wesley Shipp and mary margaret humes Also starred.

Following his death, actors posted on social media respect life Their old friend. Keep scrolling to see every heartfelt tribute from Van de Beek dawson creek Throw:

Katie Holmes

“Thank you, James. There is something sacred about sharing space with your imagination – breathing the same air in a fictional land and trusting each other’s hearts to be safe in their expression…” Holmes, 47, Share in a touching handwritten letter Published Thursday, February 12 via Instagram. “These are some memories, along with laughter, conversations about life, James Taylor songs – the adventures of a unique young man…”

“Bravery, compassion, selflessness, strength. Appreciation of life and the actions taken to live with integrity that is art – creating a wonderful marriage, six beautiful children – a hero’s journey,” she wrote.

“I mourn this loss with a heart that accepts the reality of his absence and with deep gratitude for the mark he has left,” the actress said. “To Kimberly and the children, you have our eternal support. We will always offer you our love and compassion,” Holmes concluded.

Kerr Smith

“I’m so grateful to be able to call James my brother,” Kerr Smith, who played Jack McPhee on the show from seasons 2 to 6, wrote on Instagram. I will miss him deeply. Rest in peace. “

Chad Michael Murray

“Sending love and light to your beautiful family,” Chad Michael Murraywho played Charlie during dawson creek James wrote in the comments section of Instagram while in college. “James was a giant. We are so, so, so sorry for what you have been through. His words, artistry and humanity inspired us all – he inspired us to be better in every way. God bless you all🙏. “

busy phillips

Philipps plays Joey’s roommate Audrey in the movie Joey’s Roommate Audrey dawson creekshared an emotional tribute via Instagram. “Today, my heart breaks deeply for all of us… everyone who knew James and loved him, anyone who loved his work or had the pleasure of meeting him, all the dear friends and community who surrounded him as he battled his illness, and especially his parents and siblings,” she wrote alongside throwback photos of the two over the years. “But I am deeply heartbroken for his incredible wife Kimberley and their six amazing children. They have a fund to help me and I will put the link in my story. James Van Der Beek was one in a billion and he will always be missed and I don’t know what else to say. I am truly heartbroken. He was my friend and I loved him and I am so grateful for our friendship over the years.❤️. “

mary margaret humes

Mary Margaret Humes in “James’ Mother” dawson creekOn February 11, she posted a tribute on social media in memory of her late co-star.

“I rarely make a gaffe… today is an exception. James, my gracious warrior, you fought a hard battle against all odds with such quiet strength and dignity,” Humes wrote Instagram. “For this, I will always love and admire you. Our last conversation… just a few days ago… will always be placed gently in my heart, kept safe. To our long-standing friendship.” dawson creek Friends and family, please respect our silence at this time as beautiful Kimberly and family request quiet privacy at this time. “

“Dawson’s Creek”

Instagram official page dawson creek James issued a tribute after his death at the age of 48.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of James Van Der Beek,” social media Statement read. “His iconic portrayal of Dawson Leary defined a generation of television for fans and continues to resonate with viewers today. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”

Sasha Alexander

Sasha Alexander Gretchen Witt, who plays Pacey Witt’s sister, who eventually becomes Dawson’s girlfriend, in the fourth season of Dawson’s Creek. “Heartbroken,” she wrote in the comments section of Mary-Margaret Humes’ Instagram post. “I am so sorry for all our losses. James was a beautiful soul and kind man. Praying for his entire family.”

Alexander later expressed his deep respect for Van de Beek, Upload an Instagram post Features a carousel of photos of the actor through the years, including photos from his time Dawson’s Creek.

“It feels like just yesterday we were sitting under a pink sunset in Wilmington, shooting in beautiful weather dawson creek Year. What sets Dawson apart is the man who plays him,” she wrote. “James is a deep, thoughtful soul. He takes his job seriously, not out of ego but out of caution. All he cares about is being a good actor. He cared about getting things done and never took it for granted. But most of all, he cared about people. He cares about his family. He is concerned with expressing himself fully. “

Alexander said she was “heartbroken for everyone who loved him, especially his beautiful family,” adding that she was praying for them.

“I will be forever grateful that I got to stand in his light for a while. I got to laugh with him, go to prom with Dawson, and grow with him. He will always live on in our memories and the kindness he left behind,” she concluded. “RIP my friend.🤍”

Hal Ozanne

Hal Ozanne appeared in the final season dawson creek Plays Todd Car, the film directing mentor to James Van Der Beek’s Dawson.

“My brother James passed away in his sleep this morning. I have no words to express my sadness. There will be a James-sized hole in my heart and I will never meet someone like him again for the rest of my life,” Ozsan wrote on social media. Instagram Alongside it was a photo of his former partner. “James… I have a lot to say about you, brother, but the truest thing is that you always put your heart first in everything you do. That’s why, when the time comes, you leave the home you built, surrounded by the love you made. We all deserve to be so lucky. What a life. What a man. What a friend. No notes, brother. No notes.”