“Beautiful human inside and out,” Ritter wrote over one of these photos. “Smart, funny, empathetic, kind, talented and just pure magic—I’m so grateful for our friendship and so heartbroken.”
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The actor’s wife announced the news on social media.
di Dottor Angelo Bertazzoli
February 12, 2026
Tributes have begun rolling in for actor James Van Der Beek, who died on February 11 at age 48. Van Der Beek was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2023, per Variety, which he revealed publicly in 2024.
There has been an outpouring of love and grief from the actor’s loved ones, acquaintances, and former costars, including many who acted alongside him in Dawson’s Creek.
Katie Holmes penned a handwritten letter to Van Der Beek, which she shared on Instagram. “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,” she wrote in the caption.
She wrote in the letter, “To share space with your imagination is sacred—breathing the same air in the land of make believe and trusting each others’ hearts are safe in their expression… These are some of the memories.”
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And another of Van Der Beek’s Dawson’s Creek costars, Busy Philipps, wrote on Instagram, “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.”
Philipps, along with many others, including fellow Dawson’s Creek alum Chad Michael Murray, also shared a link to a GoFundMe for Van Der Beek’s family, to help pay for his medical bills.
On Instagram, Van Der Beek’s wife, Kimberly, wrote, “Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. 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.”
This message prompted an immediate font of love and sympathy in the comment section.
The Dawson’s Creek star’s friend Nikki Reed wrote a particularly long message. “You beautiful soul. Anyone who had the privilege of knowing you is forever changed by you. Your depth, your presence, your unparalleled love for your family,” she wrote. “Oh James, you are so so so deeply loved. And so so deeply missed. My heart aches and I’m sure the ripples of those aches will be felt forever. And Kimberly, we are all wrapping you and those sweet babies in love. My special sister, you and James are the greatest example of love I’ve ever known. Here for you in every way, forever.”
Another friend, Katharine McPhee Foster, also commented, “This is just beyond devastating news. I’m so so sorry for your loss. God bless you all.”
Jamie Lynn Sigler commented on Instagram, “We are the luckiest to have been part of his tribe. Fly high James. You were everything good in this world. ❤️”
Lance Bass wrote, “We are sending your beautiful family so much love. Safe travels James. You made this world a better place.”
Jennifer Garner commented, addressing Van Der Beek’s wife, “What a heartbreaking loss. So much love to you, Kimberly, and to your kids, as you navigate this tender time.”
Van Der Beek’s colleagues from other acting projects also paid their respects with their own posts. Krysten Ritter, who starred with Van Der Beek on Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23, posted selfies of the two of them to her Stories.
“Beautiful human inside and out,” Ritter wrote over one of these photos. “Smart, funny, empathetic, kind, talented and just pure magic—I’m so grateful for our friendship and so heartbroken.”
Van Der Beek’s partner on Dancing With the Stars, Emma Slater, wrote a particularly long and warm message. “I’m so grateful for you and all you have done for me. Your kindness, patience and empathy for others is unmatched. Your wise advice. I will always marvel at the ability you had to master everything. Your school boy laugh I will never forget. I’m so grateful that I got to see you on Sunday, to talk to you and to tell you for the millionth time how much I love you. We laughed together. And I promised I would feel your presence always, as I already have. Thank you ❤️”
Selma Blair posted an old photo of herself and Van Der Beek sitting by a pool, in the early days of both of their careers, with her own heartfelt note about coming up together in the industry. “James Van Der Beek … we started at the same time in this town, and I always just admired and appreciated you so much,” she wrote. “And then even more so when I met your wife and saw your complete love for that growing family in a way that bowled me over with gratitude that you existed … And you always will through them.”
Kevin Smith cast Van Der Beek to play a cartoonish version of himself in two “Jay and Silent Bob” movies and likewise posted two deeply felt farewell tributes. In the first, he wrote, in part, “James didn’t just lend us his name and celebrity, he came to PLAY, making memorable moments in forgettable films. One of the best things you can do for a person is dream their dreams with or for them—so I’ll always remember [James Van Der Beek] as the generous, funny, warm, self-effacing superstar who twice helped me make my dreams come true, 18 years apart.”
In the second, he shared a memory. “When we were shooting [Jay and Silent Bob Reboot], James’ Mom was sick. So when we heard, I said, ‘Stay with your Mom, sir. We can shoot the scene with [Jason Biggs] solo.’ But James insisted and did a less than 24 hour turnaround to shoot with us in New Orleans and get back to his Mom,” Smith wrote. “I was lucky to encounter such a lovely soul who gave me his name, talent and time so freely you’d have thought we were childhood friends. But like many of you, I was just a fan of the man.”
This post will be updated.
