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James Van Der Beek, ‘Dawson’s Creek’ Actor, Dead at 48 After Cancer Battle
The simple act of loving James Van Der Beek was enough.
After the Dawson's Creek alum died at the age of 48 following a battle with colon cancer, several of his friends, former colleagues and loved ones expressed their heartbreak over his passing.
Among them was fellow '90s star Sarah Michelle Gellar, who wrote to James' loved ones, "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--k Cancer."
Dancing With the Stars' host Alfonso Ribeiro shared he and his good friend had a final moment together.
"I am broken," he wrote on Instagram. "So happy to have him in my life. Lucky I got to be there to say goodbye."
James—who shared kids Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 12, Emilia, 9, Gwendolyn, 7, and Jeremiah, 4, with wife Kimberly Van Der Beek—"passed peacefully" Feb. 11, his family wrote on Instagram.
"He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace," the message continued. "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.”
Instagram/James Van Der Beek
Since being diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer in Nov. 2024, James had been candid about his health journey and how it impacted his life.
"As soon as I heard the news, I thought, 'This is going to be the best thing that ever happened to me,'" James told Today co-host Craig Melvin in Dec. 2025. "I had this little voice in my head that said, 'You're going to make changes in your life that you would never, ever make if you didn't have this extreme of a diagnosis.'"
But more than the lifestyle changes, it was the life lessons the Varsity Blues alum learned along the way that mattered most.
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"Really, the biggest change would be this journey of self-love," he reflected. "What I realized was, I'm still worthy of love."
He also learned to slow down and enjoy the moment.
"Presence is really the gift that cancer has given me," James explained. "Before cancer, I took all these little beautiful moments as part of a collection. I was just aware of everything. Now, I'm able much more to just settle into that exact moment."
For more celebs who have paid tribute to the beloved actor, read on.
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Stacy Kiebler
"You showed me what it looks like to trust God’s plan, even when it breaks your heart," she wrote on Instagram. "Especially when it breaks your heart."
She continued, "The other night we watched the sunset together as you shared your wisdom, your hopes, and the promises we made to each other. 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."
As she put it, "You are a gift."
Jason Davis/Getty Images for Alzheimer's Association
Danica McKellar
"A beautiful soul and unthinkably tragic loss," she noted on Instagram. "Sending prayers of peace to your family as you process this. We are all by your side."
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Kate Walsh
Sharing she was feeling heartbroken, the Grey's Anatomy alum added, "Sending love, light & strength to you dear @vanderkimberly."
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Jennifer Garner
"What a heartbreaking loss," the actress wrote. "So much love to you, Kimberly, and to your kids, as you navigate this tender time."
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Christie Brinkley
"His kindness radiated, his love for his family was palpable it sparkled , everybody loved him," she reflected. "My most heartfelt condolences go out to his beautiful family he adored."
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Nikki Reed
"You beautiful soul," she began. "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."
She continued, "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," the Twilight alum added, "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."
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Melissa Joan Hart
"I'm heartbroken to hear that @vanderjames has passed away," she wrote in an Instagram post. "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."
She continued, "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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Emma Slater
The DWTS pro, who competed with James on the show's 28th season, wrote, "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.”
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Olivia Munn
"I’m so sorry," she wrote. "My prayers are with you and your beautiful family."
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Katharine McPhee Foster
"This is just beyond devastating news," she said. "I’m so so sorry for your loss. God bless you all."
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Paul Walter Hauser
"Love you, James," Paul wrote on Instagram. "I know you’re in Heaven being pampered with love. The Van Der Beeks will be in our daily prayers and we’ll be drumming up some money to support your beautiful family."
"Thanks for the body of work," he added, "and for being one of the good guys."
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Daniella Karagach
The Dancing With the Stars pro wrote, "Sending so much love and prayers."
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Jenna Dewan
"I will always and forever remember your sweet gentle soul," she shared. "My love and prayers with Kim and the entire family."
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Chad Michael Murray
"Sending love and light to your beautiful family," the One Tree Hill alum wrote. "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.”
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Erin Foster
As she wrote on Instagram, "Sending so much love to your family."
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Rumer Willis
"My dear wonderful friends I love you all, I am keeping you all in my heart," she wrote in the comments of the psot announcing James' passing. "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."
She added, "Sending all the love and light to you all."
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Alfonso Ribeiro
"I am broken," the DWTS host wrote on Instagram. "So happy to have him in my life. Lucky I got to be there to say goodbye."
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Sarah Michelle Gellar
"I’m so sad for your beautiful family," she wrote on Instagram. "While James legacy will always live on, this is a huge loss to not just your family but the world. Fuck Cancer."
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Hilaria Baldwin
She shared her love in the comments, writing, "Sending so much love. I’m so sorry."
Hayley Kiyoko
Under James' family's post confirming he had died, the Lemonade Mouth actress wrote, "I am so incredibly sorry for you and your family. He always led with kindness and love. His light will carry on."
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