James Van Der Beek has been remembered by some of his Dawson's Creek castmates as they paid heartbreaking tributes to the late star after his passing at age 48.
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The late actor's death was confirmed by his loved ones on social media on Wednesday following his battle with stage three colorectal cancer.
A number of his celebrity friends additionally shared messages of condolences upon hearing the news of his tragic passing including Jennifer Garner and Tyler Posey.
Van Der Beek portrayed the character of Dawson Leery on the hit series Dawson's Creek for six seasons from 1998-2003 alongside Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, Busy Philipps, Chad Michael Murray and Michelle Williams.
Murray - who later appeared on the show to play Charlie Todd - reflected on the star's life in the comment section of the Instagram post shared by Van Der Beek's family.
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'Sending love and light to your beautiful family,' he began. 'James was a giant. We're so so so sorry for what you're going through.'
James Van Der Beek has been remembered by some of his Dawson's Creek castmates as they paid heartbreaking tributes to the late star after his passing at age 48; seen in 2024 in L.A.
Van Der Beek portrayed the character of Dawson Leery on the hit series Dawson's Creek for six seasons from 1998-2003 alongside Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, Busy Philipps, Chad Michael Murray and Michelle Williams
Murray added, 'His words, art and humanity inspired all of us - he inspired us to be better in all ways. God bless you guys.'
Philipps - who joined Dawson's Creek in 2001 as Audrey Liddell - also took to Instagram to share a separate tribute on her main Instagram page.
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The actress uploaded a photo of the late star as well as other throwback images of the pair taken in the past.
Aside from Dawson's Creek, Philipps had the chance to reunite with Van Der Beek later in 2012 when she appeared in an episode of Don't Trust The B---- In Apartment 23.
'My heart is deeply hurting for all of us today…,' she wrote.
'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 continued that she is 'profoundly heartbroken for his incredible wife Kimberly and their six magical children.'
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She then encouraged her followers to go to a GoFundMe page created to help support the late actor's family following his death.
Murray - who later appeared on the show to play Charlie Todd - reflected on the star's life in the comment section of the Instagram post shared by Van Der Beek's family; seen in 2024
'Sending love and light to your beautiful family,' he began. 'James was a giant. We're so so so sorry for what you're going through'
Philipps - who joined Dawson's Creek in 2001 as Audrey Liddell - also took to Instagram to share a separate tribute on her main Instagram page
'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,' she wrote
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Philipps continued that she is 'profoundly heartbroken for his incredible wife Kimberly and their six magical children'
Van Der Beek is survived by his wife Kimberly and their six children: Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 12, Emilia, nine, Gwendolyn, seven, and Jeremiah, four.
'James Van Der Beek was one in a billion and he will be forever missed and i don't know what else to say. i am just so so sad. He was my friend and i loved him and i'm so grateful for our friendship all these years.❤️.'
Other former co-stars of the star also expressed their condolences on social media.
Krysten Ritter - who starred alongside Van Der Beek in Don't Trust The B---- In Apartment 23 - shared a number of slides on her Instagram stories.
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The actress shared a selfie that she had taken with the late actor and wrote, 'Really hard news today.'
Another selfie showed the pair sitting outside as she typed, 'Beautiful human inside and out. Smart, funny, empathic, kind, talented and just pure magic - I'm so grateful for our friendship and so heartbroken.
'All my love goes out to his amazing wife Kimberly and their children.'
Riverdale alum Drew Ray Tanner shared, 'Amazing man and father. Rest in peace my friend.'
Krysten Ritter - who starred alongside Van Der Beek in Don't Trust The B---- In Apartment 23 - shared a number of slides on her Instagram stories
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The actress shared a selfie that she had taken with the late actor and wrote, 'Really hard news today'
Another selfie showed the pair sitting outside as she typed, 'Beautiful human inside and out. Smart, funny, empathic, kind, talented and just pure magic - I'm so grateful for our friendship and so heartbroken'
Tanner had worked alongside Van Der Beek in the 2024 film Sidelined: The QB And Me as well as the 2025 sequel Sidelined 2: Intercepted.
Other celebrities that paid tribute included Jennifer Garner who penned on the post shared by his loved ones: 'What a heartbreaking loss. So much love to you, Kimberly, and to your kids, as you navigate this tender time. ♥️.'
Teen Wolf alum Tyler Posey said, 'Love you brother.'
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Jenna Dewan commented, 'I will always and forever remember your sweet gentle soul. My love and prayers with Kim and the entire family.'
Singer Katharine McPhee and wife of David Foster wrote, 'This is just beyond devastating news. I'm so so sorry for your loss. God bless you all.'
Modern Family alum Eric Stonestreet said, 'James had a kind, generous, thoughtful, and beautiful soul. There is no doubt those traits will live on through his wife and gorgeous children. Rest In Peace, man.'
On Wednesday, Van Der Beek's loved ones confirmed the actor's death on social media.
The post read: 'Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace.
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Ritter also added in another slide, 'Love you so much James and fake James'
Van Der Beek is survived by his wife Kimberly and their six children: Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 12, Emilia, nine, Gwendolyn, seven, and Jeremiah, four
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'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.'
He is survived by his wife Kimberly as well as their six children: Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 12, Emilia, nine, Gwendolyn, seven and Jeremiah, four.
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A GoFundMe page has also been created with the goal of raising funds to support the late actor's family.
In a description, his family confirmed that Van Der Beek passed away on February 11 after 'a long and courageous battle with cancer.'
It was also shared that, 'Throughout his illness, the family faced not only emotional challenges but also significant financial strain as they did everything possible to support James and provide for his care...'
Van Der Beek revealed his stage three colorectal cancer diagnosis in November 2024.
He shared the news to People in a statement and expressed at the time, 'I have colorectal cancer.
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On Wednesday, Van Der Beek's loved ones confirmed the actor's death on social media'
Van Der Beek revealed his stage three colorectal cancer diagnosis in November 2024
'I've been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family. There's reason for optimism, and I'm feeling good.'
He later took to Instagram to reveal that he was forced to go public with his cancer diagnosis before telling his family.
The late star's most recent Instagram post had been shared on January 25 as he celebrated both his daughter and father's birthdays.
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Van Der Beek starred in other projects throughout his career in Hollywood including Varsity Blues (1999), The Rules Of Attraction (2002) and How I Met Your Mother.