Following the tragic news that actor James Van Der Beek has passed away, tributes have poured in from across the world of entertainment. The “Dawson’s Creek” star was battling colorectal cancer — a type of bowel cancer —and had publicly spoken about the disease in recent times following his diagnosis in 2023.
With Van Der Beek being synonymous with the character of Dawson Leery in the hit television show, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that many of his former co-stars from “Dawson’s Creek” have made their own tributes and posted emotional messages about their friend and colleague.
Katie Holmes
Katie Holmes, who starred as Dawson’s best friend Joey Potter in “Dawson’s Creek,” shared an image of a handwritten letter on Instagram, accompanied by a caption that reads, “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.
In the note, Homes wrote, “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… These are some of the memories, along with laughter, conversations about life, James Taylor songs—adventures of a unique youth…”
Holmes continued, “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. I mourn this loss with a heart holding the reality of his absence and deep gratitude for his imprint on it.”
“To Kimberly and the children, we are here for you always. And will always be there to shower you with love and compassion.”
Busy Philipps
GettyBusy Philipps appeared during the fifth and sixth seasons of the show, portraying the character Audrey Liddell. Initially a friend of Joey at university, she later becomes closer to the rest of the friendship group.
Posting a tribute to Instagram, she wrote, “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 added, “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.”
Kerr Smith
Jack McPhee actor Kerr Smith also paid tribute to Van Der Beek in the comments of the family’s Instagram post that announced his death. Kerr joined “Dawson’s Creek” in season two and became part of the main cast in the third season as Andie’s brother.
He simply wrote, “I’m so grateful for being able to call James a brother. I’ll miss him deeply. Rest easy.”
Chad Michael Murray
“One Tree Hill” star Chad Michael Murray, who appeared as Charlie Todd opposite Van Der Beek also posted an emotional message to Instagram.
He paid tribute to his co-star, saying, “Sending love and light to your beautiful family. 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.”
Mary-Margaret Humes
Mary-Margaret Humes, was responsible for playing Dawson’s mother Gail Leery in the series throughout all six seasons of the series. She shared images of herself with Van Der Beek to her Instagram account alongside a caption that paid tribute to the actor.
“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,” she wrote alongside two photos of them together.
“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.”
The ‘Dawson’s Creek’ Account
The show’s official Instagram account also released a statement following Van Der Beek’s death.
It reads, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of James Van Der Beek. 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.”
My crush has been delivered to the heavenly host. The show Dawson creek taught me so much about the crazy teenage life interracial relationship and just being self conscious. James was always the one you look for to have a solution. Always had his eye for classics then. Seem he lived a memorable life too. Thank you my condolences to the family. Carry on he will live within you forever.