https://people.com/james-van-der-beek-dawsons-creek-star-dies-at-48-8754227

James Van Der Beek has died (https://www.google.com/search?q=James+Van+Der+Beek%2C+Dawson%E2%80%99s+Creek+star%2C+dies+at+48&oq=James+Van+Der+Beek%2C+Dawson%E2%80%99s+Creek+star%2C+dies+at+48&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIGCAEQRRg80gEINzgxajBqMTWoAgiwAgHxBbvN6v6_U-Di8QW7zer-v1Pg4g&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8).

The actor, best known for his roles in Dawson's Creek and Varsity Blues, died after a journey with stage 3 colorectal cancer.

His wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, announced the news on Instagram.

"Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning," Kimberly wrote. "He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. 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."

Katie Holmes posts an emotional handwritten letter honoring James Van Der Beek (https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/katie-holmes-mourns-james-van-der-beek-dawsons-creek-1236660699/)

“I formed some words with a heavy heart,” Holmes wrote in the caption of her Instagram post honoring her Dawson’s Creek co-star (https://www.instagram.com/p/DUplHUFgemh/), featuring a picture of her handwritten letter. “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.” In the handwritten letter, Holmes thanked Van Der Beek for all the memories they made together. “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 wrote.

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Dawson’s Creek creator Kevin Williamson pays tribute to James Van Der Beek (https://www.instagram.com/p/DUpw-mYlOSc/): “To everyone, thank you for your outpouring of love. It has been felt,” he wrote on Instagram. “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.”

James Van Der Beek’s best asset was his ability to make himself the butt of a joke (https://www.vulture.com/article/james-van-der-beek-dont-trust-the-b-apartment-23-best-role-remembered.html)

Joshua Jackson speaks out on Dawson’s Creek co-star James Van Der Beek’s death: “The tragedy of that loss for his family is enormous” (https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/joshua-jackson-james-van-der-beek-death-tragedy-enormous-1236659984/)

“He and I shared this amazing time at a very young point in our lives,” Jackson said on Today (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvoIo38dPXg). “I know both of us look back at that time with great fondness, but I will also say that I know I’m really just a footnote in what he accomplished in his life.” Jackson added that, over the years, Van Der Beek “became what we usually just call a ‘good man.’ A man of the kind of belief, the kind of faith that allowed him to face the impossible with grace. An unbelievable partner and husband. A real man that showed up for his family and a beautiful, kind, interested, dedicated father.”

Why James Van Der Beek & Eric Dane Were 'Snubbed' From Oscars In Memoriam (https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/movies/articles/why-james-van-der-beek-201103348.html)

James Van Der Beek and Eric Dane were notably excluded from the “In Memoriam” tribute at the 2026 Oscars, which included touching tributes to many stars lost in the previous year. The segment featured a number of names, including Diane Ladd, Robert Duvall and Val Kilmer, as well as more lengthy tributes to Catherine O’Hara, …

Marlon Wayans Recounts James Van Der Beek's "Dawson's Creek" Cameo in Scary Movie
by Ryan Coleman
March 18, 2026


The Scary Movie franchise is loaded with hilarious examples of stunt casting, from Carmen Electra skewering Drew Barrymore's iconic Scream cold open to Lindsay Lohan showing up as Lindsay Lohan in Scary Movie 5.

But few hit as hard now as the late James Van Der Beek's brief Dawson's Creek-inspired cameo early in the flagship entry. Ahead of the first trailer for the franchise's raucous sixth installment, also titled Scary Movie, star and co-writer Marlon Wayans took Entertainment Weekly back to the day on set when Dawson Leery came to play.




"James was cool as hell for even doing it," Wayans says of the actor, who died last month after battling colorectal cancer. "He was huge on Dawson's Creek. He was like, 'Oh, I'm game,' and I was like, 'bet.'"

"It was quick, but the audience loved it. 'Oh! Wrong, wrong, wrong set![' And he just leaves," Wayans recalls, reliving the scene. "It was just the coolest moment."

https://ew.com/marlon-wayans-recalls-james-van-der-beek-cameo-in-scary-movie-11929355