The actress paid tribute to her former co-star, calling him “extraordinary and kind” following his battle with cancer.
Actress Reese Witherspoon is mourning the loss of actor James Van Der Beek, saying she is “devastated” by his death at age 48.
Van Der Beek passed away Wednesday in Austin, Texas. While an official cause of death has not been released, the actor had been publicly battling stage 3 colorectal cancer since August 2023.
In an emotional Instagram Story tribute, Witherspoon described him as an “extraordinary, talented man who also showed great kindness and grace in every action,” adding that she is praying for his wife, Kimberley, and their six children.
Van Der Beek was set to appear in the upcoming television series Elle, based on Witherspoon’s iconic character from the 2001 film Legally Blonde. Witherspoon serves as an executive producer on the series, which is scheduled to premiere July 1. In the show, Van Der Beek portrays Dean Wilson, a school superintendent and mayoral candidate.
The actor first rose to fame in the late 1990s as Dawson Leery on the hit teen drama Dawson’s Creek, a role that defined a generation of television viewers. He later appeared in popular series such as How I Met Your Mother, One Tree Hill, and Pose.
Beyond television, Van Der Beek starred in films including Varsity Blues, Scary Movie, and The Rules of Attraction.
He is survived by his wife and six children.
Hollywood continues to reflect on the impact of a career that spanned decades — and a performer whose breakout role helped define 1990s television.
