Their on-again, off-again angst-filled romance made “Dawson’s Creek” a must watch for teens in the early 2000s. Katie Holmes was one of many former co-stars and friends who took to social media to share touching tributes and memories of James Van Der Beek following his death on Wednesday.
Holmes said she was “grateful to have shared in a piece of James’ journey” and wrote him a letter that she shared on her page.
"I mourn this loss with a heart holding the reality of his absence and deep gratitude for his imprint in it, she wrote.
Actor Krysten Ritter called the actor a “beautiful human inside and out.”
“Smart, funny, empathic, kind, talented and just pure magic — I’m so grateful for our friendship and so heartbroken,” she wrote in an Instagram Story. “All my love goes out to his amazing wife Kimberly and their children.”
“Had the good fortune of knowing and growing with this guy. Rip,” actor Ashton Kutcher posted on X.
Van Der Beek's wife announced the news of his death on Instagram. In November 2024, he shared that he had been diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer.
“He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,” Kimberly Van Der Beek said on Instagram. “There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come.”
A GoFundMe set up to help the family with living expenses has raised more than $1.3 million as of Thursday morning. The verified page said the cost of treatments put a financial strain on the family.
The top donation of $25,000 came from Guardant Health. The biotechnology company said in a post on X that Van Der Beek was their first brand ambassador.
Actor Alfonso Ribeiro wrote a lengthy post on Instagram, calling Van Der Beek a “true friend brother and life guide.”
“I was with him through this horrible journey to beat cancer. His family and friends went on this roller coaster ride. The highs when it looked like he had it beat to the breaking lows of it coming back. I’ve learned so much from james. He and @vanderkimberly changed my life,” he wrote.
“I will forever be in debt for all they’ve given me and my family. He will live forever in my heart. I will always be there for their children," he continued. "I will always hold my role as Gwen’s Goddie daddy as one of the most important roles of my life. I love you James and know I have a guardian angel watching over me. Being able to say goodbye this weekend will always live with me. RIP my brother. RIP.”
Retired professional wrestler Stacy Keibler also said she spent time with the actor before his death and shared a picture of him sitting in a wheelchair, smiling.
“When you know time is sacred, you don’t waste a single breath. You don’t rush. You don’t scroll. You don’t worry about tomorrow. You sit. You listen. You hold hands. You watch the sky change colors and you let it change you too,” she wrote on Instagram. “In these past days, you taught me more about being present than any book ever could. You showed me what it looks like to trust God’s plan, even when it breaks your heart. Especially when it breaks your heart.”
She went on to talk about how they had watched a sunset together as he shared “your wisdom, your hopes, and the promises we made to each other.
“You are a gift. An incredible husband. An extraordinary dad,” she posted. “It has been an honor to stand beside your family in these sacred moments.”
Designer Erin Fetherston thanked the actor for his friendship and “for being the one who would go the extra mile.”
