The Dawson’s Creek cast is mourning the death of their costar James Van Der Beek following his death at age 48.
Van Der Beek’s family confirmed on Wednesday, February 11, that the actor, who portrayed the titular character on the hit ‘90s teen drama, had died following a battle with colorectal cancer.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,” James’ wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, shared in a statement shared via his Instagram at the time. “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.”
Van Der Beek announced his stage III colorectal cancer in November 2024. His Capeside Crew — including Joshua Jackson, Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, Kerr Smith and more — came together one year later in September 2025 for a one-night only Dawson’s Creek reunion to help raise money for F Cancer and Van Der Beek, performing a live reading of the show’s pilot at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City.
“James and I were actually talking about [a reunion] back in April or May. We were doing a convention together out in, I think it was Pittsburgh, and he had mentioned that Michelle wanted to do this and put it together,” Smith, 53, exclusively told Us Weekly in September 2025 about how the reunion first came together. “So it’s Michelle’s baby, as far as I’m aware. She gets the credit. And I’m just glad she’s doing it, because it’s going to be fun to see all those guys. And when I was pitched, I’m like, ‘Of course, I’m in. This is fantastic.’ I mean, it helps, James.”
While Van Der Beek was ultimately not in attendance for the event, as he was forced to drop out last minute due to a stomach flu, Lin-Manuel Miranda stepped in to read the part of Dawson in his absence. The reunion sold out in 12 minutes, with tickets priced from $199 to $1,200, raising thousands of dollars for the cause.
Dawson’s Creek ran on The WB from 1998 to 2003 and followed Van Der Beek’s Dawson Leery as he navigated the ups and downs of teenagehood alongside his on-and-off love interest Joey Potter (Holmes), best friend Pacey Witter (Jackson) and mysterious new neighbor Jen Lindley (Williams). Smith, Meredith Monroe, Busy Philipps, John Wesley Shipp and Mary-Margaret Humes also starred.
Following his death, the cast took to social media to honor the life of their longtime friend. Keep scrolling for every heartfelt tribute about Van Der Beek from the Dawson’s Creek cast:
Katie Holmes
“James, thank you. To share space with your imagination is sacred — breathing the same air in the land of make-believe and trusting that each other’s hearts are safe in their expression…,” Holmes, 47, shared in an emotional handwritten letter posted via Instagram on Thursday, February 12. “These are some of the memories, along with laughter, conversations about life, James Taylor songs — adventures of a unique youth…”
“Bravery. Compassion. Selflessness. Strength. An appreciation for life and the action taken to live life with the integrity that life is art — creating a beautiful marriage, six loving children — the journey of a hero,” she wrote.
“I mourn this loss with a heart holding the reality of his absence and deep gratitude for his imprint on it,” said the actress. “To Kimberly and the children, we are here for you always. And will always be there to shower you with love and compassion,” Holmes concluded.
Kerr Smith
“I’m so grateful for being able to call James a brother,” Kerr Smith, who portrayed Jack McPhee on seasons 2 through 6 of the show, wrote via Instagram. I’ll miss him deeply. Rest easy.”
Chad Michael Murray
“Sending love and light to your beautiful family,” Chad Michael Murray, who played Charlie during Dawson’s Creek’s college years, wrote in the comments section of James’ Instagram. “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🙏.”
Busy Philipps
Philipps, who portrayed Joey’s roommate Audrey on Dawson’s Creek, shared an emotional tribute via Instagram. “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 alongside throwback photos of the pair through the years. “But I am profoundly heartbroken for his incredible wife Kimberly and their six magical children. 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.❤️.”
Mary-Margaret Humes
Mary-Margaret Humes, who played James’ mother on Dawson’s Creek, issued a social media tribute in honor of her late costar on February 11.
“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,” Humes wrote via Instagram. “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.”
‘Dawson’s Creek’
The official Instagram page for Dawson’s Creek issued a tribute following James’ death at 48.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of James Van Der Beek,” the social media statement read. “His iconic portrayal of Dawson Leery helped define a generation of television for fans and continues to resonate with audiences today. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
Sasha Alexander
Sasha Alexander played Pacey Witter’s older sister, Gretchen Witter, on season 4 of Dawson’s Creek, who eventually becomes Dawson’s girlfriend. “Just heartbroken,” she wrote in the comments section of Mary-Margaret Humes’ Instagram post. “I am so sorry for all of our losses. James was a beautiful soul and kind human. Prayers for his whole family.”
Alexander later shared an emotional tribute to Van Der Beek, uploading an Instagram post with a carousel of photos of the actor over the years, including ones from his time on Dawson’s Creek.
“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.”
Alexander shared that she was “heartbroken for everyone who loved him, especially his beautiful family” and added that she was holding them in her prayers.
“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 concluded. “Rest in Peace, my friend. 🤍”
Hal Ozsan
Hal Ozsan appeared on the final season of Dawson’s Creek as Todd Car, a film director mentor of James Van Der Beek’s character, Dawson.
“This morning my brother, James passed in his sleep. I do not have the words to express the grief. There will be a James sized hole in my heart for the rest of my life and I will never meet his like again,” Ozsan wrote via Instagram alongside a photo of his former costar. “James… there are so many things I could say about you, brother, but the truest, is that you always lived your life heart-first in everything you did. Which is why, when the time came, you left in a home that you built, surrounded by the love you made. We should all be so lucky. What a life. What a man. What a friend. No notes, brother. No notes.”
Kevin Williamson
Kevin Williamson, who created Dawson’s Creek and served as showrunner for seasons 1 and 2 before returning to write the series finale, shared an emotional message to James Van Der Beek and his family.
“With much love, we are here for you. Your Dawson’s Creek family will always be here for you and your beautiful family,” Williamson wrote via Instagram alongside photos with Van Der Beek over the years. “To everyone, thank you for your outpouring of love. It has been felt. Several times today, from my heart, I’ve tried to form the words to express the beautiful brilliance of James and what his presence has meant to my life. But I am truly at a loss for words. I will have to trust that one day those words will come… But today, all I can think about is Kimberly and the entire Van Der Beek family. My heart is with you. K.”
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