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's Dawson's Creek co-stars have shared their memories of the actor after it was announced on Wednesday that he had died aged 48.
The actor's wife Kimberly Van Der Beek shared the sad news of his passing which followed a courageous two year battle with colorectal .
Following the announcement, Instagram was flooded with emotional tributes from James' Dawson's Creek family including a poignant message from Mary-Margaret Humes who played his mother Gale Leery.
Mary-Margaret, 71, joined , , and the rest of the Dawson's cast for a reunion last September to raise funds for James' treatment after his family was hit with financial problems during his cancer fight.
James was due to appear at the one-night-only charity event but had to pull out of the reunion at the last minute due to his ill health.
In a post on Wednesday night Mary-Margaret paid tribute to 'my gracious warrior,' and wrote about her final conversations with her onscreen son.
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James Van Der Beek's Dawson's Creek co-stars have shared their memories of the actor after it was announced on Wednesday that he had died aged 48
In a post on Wednesday night Mary-Margaret paid tribute to 'my gracious warrior,' and wrote about her final conversations with her onscreen son
'Rarely am I at a loss for words … today would be the exception. James, my gracious warrior, you fought a hard battle against all odds with such quiet strength and dignity,' the actress wrote alongside a photo of herself and James on the Dawson's Creek set.
'I will always love and admire you for that. Our last conversations … merely a few days ago … are forever sitting softly in my heart for safe keeping.'
Mary ended her post with a plea to fans, writing: 'To our extended Dawson’s Creek family of friends … please be respectful of our silences at the moment as Beautiful Kimberly and family have asked for peaceful privacy for now.'
James portrayed the character of Dawson Leery on the hit series Dawson's Creek for six seasons from 1998-2003.
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Busy Philips - who joined the show in 2001 as Audrey Liddell - also took to Instagram to share a tribute alongside photos from the set of the show.
'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.'
James portrayed the character of Dawson Leery on the hit series Dawson's Creek for six seasons from 1998-2003 alongside Michelle Williams, Joshua Jackson and Katie Holmes
Busy Philips - who joined the show in 2001 as Audrey Liddell - also took to Instagram to share a tribute alongside photos from the set of the show
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Busy said that she is 'profoundly heartbroken for his incredible wife Kimberly and their six magical children'
Busy continued that she is 'profoundly heartbroken for his incredible wife Kimberly and their six magical children.'
James is survived by his wife Kimberly and their six children: Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 12, Emilia, nine, Gwendolyn, seven, and Jeremiah, four
The actor's wife shared the sad news of his passing which followed a courageous two year battle with colorectal cancer
'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.'
