James Van Der Beek Dead: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Chad Michael Murray & More React | E! News

 

The video reports on the death of actor James Van Der Beek at age 48 from stage three colorectal cancer (0:00-0:06). His wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, announced his peaceful passing on Instagram on February 11th (0:06-0:17), asking for privacy during their grief (0:25-0:32). Following the news, several celebrities paid tribute to the Dawson's Creek star: Jaime-Lynn Sigler (0:33-0:41) of The Sopranos expressed gratitude for being part of his "tribe" and called him "everything good in this world." Chad Michael Murray (0:41-0:58) from One Tree Hill sent love to his family, calling James a "giant" and noting how his "words, art, and humanity inspired all of us." Sarah Michelle Gellar (1:01-1:14), known for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, shared her sadness for his family and recognized his death as a "huge loss" to the world. Melissa Joan Hart (1:15-1:42), who starred with James in Clarissa Explains It All, recalled him as a "nice guy, a great father, wonderful actor," and her "first on-screen kiss." She sent thoughts and prayers to his six children, wife, and family. James Van Der Beek is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children (1:47-1:50). James Van Der Beek had a notable early role as the star of Dawson's Creek (0:04), which is widely considered his breakout role. He also had an early appearance in the 90s Nickelodeon show Clarissa Explains It All (1:17-1:32), where he shared his "first on-screen kiss" [1:30]. Beyond these, his role as the quarterback in the popular coming-of-age film Varsity Blues (1999) also significantly contributed to his early fame, establishing him as a teen idol. Other early film credits include Angus (1995) and I Love You, I Love You Not (1996).

James Van Der Beek Dead at 48

 

The video is a tribute to James Van Der Beek, highlighting his life, career, and battle with colorectal cancer. Key points from the video include: Early Life and Dawson's Creek (1:15-2:10): The video covers James Van Der Beek's early career, including his breakout role as Dawson Leery in Dawson's Creek. It details his early days on set and the show's impact on his and his co-stars' careers. Post-Dawson's Creek Career (2:30-5:20): Van Der Beek actively tried to distance himself from his Dawson image by taking on diverse roles in movies like Varsity Blues and darker dramas such as The Rules of Attraction. He also appeared in TV shows like Criminal Minds, How I Met Your Mother, and CSI: Cyber, and received praise for his role as Diplo in What Would Diplo Do? Personal Life and Challenges (6:18-7:00): The video touches on his personal life, including his marriage to Kimberly Brooke and their six children. It also addresses the heartbreaking experience of multiple miscarriages and the loss of his mother. Cancer Battle and Awareness (7:00-7:55): James Van Der Beek was diagnosed with stage three colorectal cancer in 2023. He kept his condition private for over a year before it was revealed. He later spoke about how the disease affected his family life and efforts to raise awareness for colorectal cancer. Final Projects and Legacy (8:00-9:30): His appearance on The Masked Singer is highlighted as one of his last projects, where he found healing in the anonymity of the mask. The video concludes with his reflections on living authentically and pursuing what lights him up, despite facing mortality.