As the world begins to mourn the loss of actor James Van Der Beek, who passed away on Feb. 11, 2026 at the age of 48 after a battle with colorectal cancer, fellow actress Katharine Foster is sending her condolences.
The news of his passing was confirmed by his family in an emotional post on Instagram. “Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” the statement wrote. “He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace.”
His death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans and fellow actors alike — including Foster, who took to the comments on the announcement post with a heartfelt tribute.
Katharine Foster Sends Her Love to James Van Der Beek’s Family
Amid thousands of fan comments mourning the loss of the “Dawson’s Creek” star, Foster wrote a sweet message. “This is just beyond devastating news,” she wrote. “I’m so so sorry for your loss. God bless you all 💔.”
Van Der Beek is survived by his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their six children, and his passing has sparked renewed conversations about the importance of cancer awareness and early detection — part of the advocacy he embraced even amid his own health struggle.
Celebrity Tributes Have Continued to Pour in for James Van Der Beek
GettyFollowing the news of his death, tributes poured in from across the entertainment industry.
Among them was “Dancing With the Stars” professional dancer Emma Slater, who was partnered with Van Der Beek in Season 28 of the show back in 2019. “I’m so devastated. He is and will always be family to me ❤️ love you so much James,” Slater wrote in the comment section. “The man that you are, you can be proud of. So grateful that I got to be there to say goodbye to you.”
Another heartfelt message came from Oscar winner Patricia Arquette. “Love you. James was one of a kind. The best,” she wrote, before highlighting the GoFundMe page his family has set up since his passing. “People can support on- go fund me look up Support for James Van Der Beek’s family to support through this time.”
Van Der Beek rose to fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s, becoming a household name with “Dawson’s Creek” and later starring in “Varsity Blues,” as well as roles in “The Rules of Attraction,” “Pose” and other film and TV projects over a long and varied career.
