James Van Der Beek’s ‘Dawson’s Creek’ Co-Stars Sent Heart-Wrenching Tributes to the Late Star
James Van Der Beek’s Dawson Creek co-stars are remembering the late star with special tributes.
The 48-year-old died after a battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer. His wife Kimberly Van Der Beek, with whom he had six kids, announced the solemn news on Feb. 11, “Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace.”
Many Dawson’s Creek cast members wrote their own heart-wrenching tributes to Van Der Beek, who played the titular character in the late ‘90s series, including Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson.
Katie Holmes
Katie Holmes (who played Dawson’s love interest Joey Potter) wrote a handwritten later to Van Der Beek, which she shared on Instagram. It said in part, “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 others’ hearts are safe in their expression…”
She went on to praise Van Der Beek’s “bravery, compassion, selfishness, strength.” Homes continued, “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.”
“I mourn this loss with a heart holding the reality of his absence and deep gratitude for his imprint on it,” she went on, adding a special note to Kimberly and the kids, “We are here for you always.”
Homes captioned her post, “I formed some words with a heavy heart. This is a lot to process. I am so grateful to have shared in a piece of James’ journey. He is beloved. Kimberly, we love you and will be here always for you and your beautiful children. ❤️”
Chad Michael Murray
Chad Michael Murray (who played Charlie Todd in Season 5) commented on Kimberly’s post announcing Van Der Beek’s passing.
“Sending love and light to your beautiful family,” he 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????”
He also shared a photo of Van Der Beek and a link to his family’s GoFundMe page on his Instagram story, writing, “Let’s be a blessing to his family. He was a blessing to us.”
Sasha Alexander
Sasha Alexander (who played Gretchen Witter) shared several throwback photos of her and Van Der Beek on Instagram, and wrote a thoughtful message in the caption.
“It feels like yesterday that we were sitting beneath those pink Wilmington sunsets, filming during the beautiful Dawson’s Creek years,” Alexander wrote. “What made Dawson special was the man who played him. 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.”
She wrote that she “will always be grateful” for her time with Van Der Beek, adding, “He will live on in our memories, and in the kindness he left behind.”
Kevin Williamson
Dawson’s Creek creator Kevin Williamson also posted about Van Der Beek. “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,” he wrote in part. “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.”
Mary-Margaret Humes
Mary-Margaret Humes, who played Dawson’s mother, shared two pictures of her and Van Der Beek, writing that she feels “at a loss for words” after the news of his passing.
She continued, “James, my gracious warrior, you fought a hard battle against all odds with such quiet strength and dignity. 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.”
Busy Phillips
Busy Phillips joined Dawson’s Creek in Season 5 as Audrey Liddell. She wrote a somber message to the late actor on 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. But I am profoundly heartbroken for his incredible wife Kimberly and their six magical children,” she wrote in part, adding, “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.❤️”
Before you go, click here to see celebrity co-stars who became best friends.
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