James Van Der Beek Tributes Pour in as Katie Holmes, Chad Michael Murray, Sarah Michelle Gellar & More Honor ‘Dawson’s Creek’ Star

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Many of James Van Der Beek’s friends and former colleagues have shared their sadness online after his passing. His family announced yesterday, February 11th, that he died at age 48 after a battle with colorectal cancer, which he was diagnosed with in August 2023. Stars like Katie Holmes, Chad Michael Murray, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Krysten Ritter posted heartfelt messages remembering him.

Jennifer Love Hewitt, who played Dawson Leery’s main love interest on the show Dawson’s Creek, shared a photo of a heartfelt handwritten note she wrote in memory of the late actor. According to her Instagram post, the note said:

James, thank you. It’s been a gift to share such a creative and trusting space with you – a place where we could both freely express ourselves and feel safe doing so. I’ll always cherish the memories we made, filled with laughter, deep conversations, and a shared love for James Taylor – truly a special time in our lives.

He was just… incredible. Truly brave, kind, and always put others first. He had such a zest for life and lived it with such honesty – it felt like watching a beautiful work of art unfold, especially with his wonderful family – his marriage and those six amazing kids. It’s so hard to accept he’s gone, and I’m heartbroken, but I’m also incredibly grateful for everything he brought into the world. My heart goes out to Kimberly and the children – we’re here for you, always, sending all our love and support.

The actress, known for her roles in Batman Begins and Logan Lucky, shared that she was deeply affected by Van Der Beek’s death, expressing gratitude for having known him. Chad Michael Murray, a former co-star from One Tree Hill, sent his condolences and “love and light” to the family, describing James as a truly inspiring person who encouraged everyone around him to improve. He offered his blessings and support during this difficult time.

“He Made Us All Better”


The WB

Sarah Michelle Gellar, known for her role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, responded to the news of the death, saying that Van Der Beek’s work would be remembered and that his loss would be deeply felt worldwide. She ended her message with a direct expression of frustration towards cancer, writing, “F Cancer.”

Krysten Ritter, known for her roles in Breaking Bad and Jessica Jones, shared a tribute on Instagram. She called the news “really hard” and described the person as a beautiful, smart, funny, and kind soul, expressing gratitude for their friendship and sending love to his wife, Kimberly, and children. Ritter posted a photo of herself with the person, recalling their time together on the ABC sitcom Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23.

The link to the show Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23 also extended to its creator, Nahnatchka Khan, who released a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

James was a truly special person – warm, kind, and always made us laugh. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a contagious laugh. We feel lucky to have worked with him, but even more so, to have known him and his lovely family. He inspired us all to be better, and he will be deeply missed.

James Van Der Beek’s last acting role will be as Dean Wilson in the upcoming series Elle, a prequel to Legally Blonde. The show will start streaming on Prime Video in July.

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2026-02-12 16:18