The cast of Dawson’s Creek is remembering James Van Der Beek following his death at 48 after a battle with cancer.
Among the first to speak out was Busy Philipps, who played Audrey Liddell on the series. The actress shared a series of photos of herself and Van Der Beek over the years, writing that her heart was “deeply hurting” for everyone who knew and loved him, especially his wife, Kimberly, and their six children.
“But I am profoundly heartbroken for his incredible wife Kimberly and their six magical children,” Philipps wrote. She encouraged followers to support a GoFundMe set up to help the family with medical costs, adding, “James Van Der Beek was one in a billion, and he will be forever missed… He was my friend, and I loved him, and I’m so grateful for our friendship all these years.”
Kerr Smith, who portrayed Jack McPhee, honored his longtime co-star in a brief but emotional message. “I’m so grateful for being able to call James a brother. I’ll miss him deeply. Rest easy.”
Mary-Margaret Humes, who played Dawson’s mother on the show, said she was “at a loss for words.” In a heartfelt tribute, she praised Van Der Beek’s strength during his illness and reflected on their final conversations. “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,” she wrote, asking fans to respect the family’s request for privacy.
Sasha Alexander, who portrayed Gretchen Witter, also shared her grief. “Just heartbroken. I am so sorry for all of our losses. James was a beautiful soul and kind human,” she commented before posting a longer tribute of her own.
“It feels like yesterday that we were sitting beneath those pink Wilmington sunsets,” Alexander wrote. “What made Dawson special was the man who played him. James was a deep, thoughtful soul… More than anything, he cared about people. He cared about his family. He cared about showing up fully.”
She added, “I will always be grateful that I got to stand in his light for a little while… He will live on in our memories, and in the kindness he left behind.”
The official Dawson’s Creek Instagram account also released a statement, calling Van Der Beek’s portrayal of Dawson Leery “iconic.”
“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.” For many who grew up with the series, the tributes underscore how deeply Van Der Beek’s performance — and his presence — shaped both the show and those who worked alongside him.
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Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek dies at 48
