The internet mourns James Van Der Beeks death

The internet mourned Dawnson's Creek star James Van Der Beek, who died on Wednesday (Feb. 11).

"Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace," the actor's wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, wrote on Instagram. "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."

Van Der Beek announced in late 2024 that he had been diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer. He was 48 when he died.

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The internet reacted to the untimely passing of the beloved actor, who epitomized late '90s teen angst in his role on the WB drama. Van Der Beek also starred in the football film Varsity Blues, the film adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' The Rules of Attraction, and the cult sitcom favorite Don't Trust the B---- In Apartment 23.

both quarterbacks from the 1999 west canaan coyotes gone too soon. damn.

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— nick pants (@nickpants.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 3:01 PM

In the last few years we lost Luke Perry, Shannen Doherty, Michelle Trachtenberg, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, now James Van Der Beek. I’m sure I forgot someone but it hurts seeing so many names I grew up with leave us at such a young age.

— Wikipedia Brown (@theycallhimbfg.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 2:51 PM

Yes, Dawson was iconic, but James Van Der Beek was so so so so funny on Don't Trust the B

— Esther Zuckerman (@ezwrites.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 2:50 PM

The first film James Van Der Beek ever appeared in was the criminally underrated ANGUS (1995). Time for a rewatch.

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— Matinee Mode (@matineemode.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 3:32 PM

RIP James Van Der Beek, whose greatest role was, of course, himself. Not for him the cheeky cameo: on Don't Trust The B---- In Apartment 23" the man turned self-ridicule into a full-time occupation, and did so magnificently.

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— Eddie Robson (@eddierobson.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 3:14 PM

The fact that James Van Der Beek had to auction off memorabilia from his movies just broke me. It shouldn't be like this, not for beloved stars, not for anyone.

— gwen howerton (@kissphoria.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 4:06 PM

James Van Der Beek was one of the last young adult star actors whose prominence came about primarily because...he was a good actor. Being from Toledo-ish Dawson's Creek was a Very Big Deal & he carried what was a unique role for the time & probably still is today, flawlessly. A terrible loss.

— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog.xyz) February 11, 2026 at 3:20 PM

Van Der Beek is survived by his wife and six children.

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