James Van Der Beek, the actor who became a late-1990s television touchstone as earnest dreamer Dawson Leery in Dawson’s Creek, has died at 48 after a battle with bowel cancer, his family said Wednesday. “He met his final days with courage, faith and grace,” his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, said in a statement. The series, which ran for six seasons from 1998 to 2003, launched him to stardom and helped define a TV era.
Heartfelt tributes poured in from co-stars and friends. Katie Holmes, who starred opposite Van Der Beek, shared a handwritten note on Instagram, writing, “I formed some words with a heavy heart,” and pledging support to his wife and children: “Kimberly, we love you and will be here always for you and your beautiful children.”
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Busy Philipps called him “one in a billion,” adding that her heart was “deeply hurting for all of us today,” and that she was “profoundly heartbroken” for Kimberly and the couple’s six children. Kerr Smith, a castmate for five seasons, said he was grateful to call Van Der Beek “a brother,” adding, “I’ll miss him deeply. Rest easy.”
In September, a sold-out Dawson’s Creek reunion raised money for Van Der Beek’s care and the charity F Cancer, drawing former cast members including Michelle Williams, Holmes and Joshua Jackson. Van Der Beek planned to attend but was too unwell after contracting two stomach viruses. Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of Hamilton, stepped in for him and said his “whole heart” was with the family.
Chad Michael Murray, who appeared in Dawson’s Creek for 12 episodes, hailed Van Der Beek as a “giant” whose “words, art and humanity inspired all of us.” Mary-Margaret Humes, who played Dawson’s mother, said she was at a “loss for words,” calling him her “gracious warrior.”
The outpouring extended well beyond the Creek cast. Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ben Stiller, Selma Blair, Alec Baldwin, Melissa Joan Hart, Christie Brinkley and Rosie O’Donnell posted remembrances. Reese Witherspoon wrote on Instagram that she was “devastated,” calling Van Der Beek “an extraordinary, talented man who also showed great kindness and grace in every action.” Ashton Kutcher said he had “the good fortune of knowing and growing with this guy,” while Alyssa Milano praised his devotion to family, saying few “cherish that role more deeply.” Jennifer Garner called his death “heartbreaking.”
A GoFundMe campaign shared on Kimberly Van Der Beek’s Instagram Stories said extended medical costs had left the family without funds. The page has received more than $1 million (about €842,000) in donations so far. Alfonso Ribeiro, who said he is godfather to one of the couple’s daughters, wrote that Van Der Beek “changed my life.” Van Der Beek also competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2019.
Beyond Dawson’s Creek, Van Der Beek’s film and TV credits included Varsity Blues, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back and CSI: Cyber. He sent up his heartthrob image playing a fictionalized version of himself in Don’t Trust the B**** in Apartment 23 and appeared in the first season of FX’s Pose.
“There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time,” Kimberly Van Der Beek said in the family’s statement. “Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother and friend.”
Van Der Beek married Kimberly in 2010. They have six children.
Source: Press Association
By Abdiwahab Ahmed
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
