Hollywood has come together to mourn the untimely passing of James Van Der Beek.
The beloved Dawson’s Creek actor passed away aged 48 on Wednesday, February 11, over a year after announcing he had been diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer.
In a statement on Instagram, his family shared: “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.”
James is survived by his wife Kimberly Van Der Beek, who he married in 2010, and their six children, Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 12, Emilia, nine, Gwendolyn, six, and Jeremiah, two.
See below who has already paid tribute to the late actor.
Rumer Willis
“My dear wonderful friends I love you all, I am keeping you all in my heart. I’m so lucky to have had you in my life for so long. James set the bar as a husband and a father and big brother (to me). I am so grateful to have witnessed your love and respect and care for each other. Sending all the love and light to you all,” the former actress wrote.
Jenna Johnson
Of James, who appeared on Dancing with the Stars in 2019, the professional dancer said: “An incredible father, husband, artist, and so much more. Sending your family all the love and comfort.”
Emma Slater
“I’m so devastated. He is and will always be family to me. Love you so much James. The man that you are, you can be proud of. So grateful that I got to be there to say goodbye to you,” Emma, James’ partner on Dancing with the Stars season 28, wrote.
Jamie Lynn Sigler
“We are the luckiest to have been part of his tribe. Fly high James. You were everything good in this world,” the The Sopranos actress wrote.
Alfonso Ribeiro
The Dancing with the Stars host shared: “I am broken. So happy to have him in my life. Lucky I got to be there to say goodbye.”
Sarah Michelle Gellar
The fellow WB 90s star wrote: “I am so sad for your beautiful family. While James’ legacy will always live on, this is a huge loss to not just your family but the world. [Expletive] Cancer.
Olivia Munn
“I’m so sorry. My prayers are with you and your beautiful family,” Olivia wrote.
© Getty ImagesLance Bass
“We are sending your beautiful family so much love. Safe travels James. You made this world a better place,” the NSYNC star wrote.
David Boreanaz
“Prayers are with the family. James was a straight up gentleman full of kindness, joy and love. I hold fond memories of conversations with him. Thank you brother, your light shines brighter,” the Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum wrote.
Chad Michael Murray
The fellow early aughts heartthrob wrote: “Sending love and light to your beautiful family. James was a giant. We’re so so so sorry for what you’re going through. His words, art and humanity inspired all of us- he inspired us to be better in all ways. God bless you guys.
© Getty ImagesNikki Reed
“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. The connection you and Kimberly have that transcends lifetimes. You still hold the prize for wisest person I’ve ever known. Every piece of advice, every nugget of life experience you shared was a treasure I’ll hold close forever. And don’t even get me started on the gift you had with words. When you picked up your pen, you made all of us remember what tenderness feels like on a page. 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,” the Twilight star penned.
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