 (1).png)
1 hour ago
1
Chad Michael Murray, Sarah Michelle Gellar & More Celebs React to James Van Der Beek’s Death
James Van Der Beek was cherishing every little moment before his death.
And his and wife Kimberly Van Der Beek’s longtime friend Stacy Keibler visited the Dawson's Creek alum—who died on Feb. 11 after a yearslong battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer—on his Texas ranch during his final days, she had "never been so present."
"The other night we watched the sunset together as you shared your wisdom, your hopes, and the promises we made to each other," the former WWE star wrote on Instagram Feb. 11, posting a picture of him taking in the view from a wheelchair. "We talked about how this world can feel upside down…and how maybe heaven needs your spirit now to help steady us down here."
She continued, "And just as the sun slipped away, a shooting star crossed the sky…as if to remind us that none of this is random."
Looking back at her time with the 48-year-old, Stacy, 46, said the moments they shared together were "a true gift from God."
"When you know time is sacred, you don’t waste a single breath," she shared. "You don’t rush. You don’t scroll. You don’t worry about tomorrow. You sit. You listen. You hold hands. You watch the sky change colors and you let it change you too."
Instagram/Stacy Keibler
The model added to a message to James, "And while your physical body may no longer be here, I know your spirit is doing big things. I feel it already."
'We may have lost a good one here on earth… but heaven gained something extraordinary," she wrote. "I will think of you every time I watch a sunset. Every time I see a rainbow stretch across the sky. I’ll know you’re there."
Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for WarnerMedia and AT&T
Indeed, the Varsity Blues actor—dad to kids Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 12, Emilia, 9, Gwendolyn, 7, and Jeremiah, 4, with Kimberly—approached life in a different way after being diagnosed with cancer in 2023. As he once put it, "Presence is really the gift that cancer has given me."
"Before cancer, I took all these little beautiful moments as part of a collection," he told Today in December. "Now, I'm able much more to just settle into that exact moment."
For more moving tributes to James, read on.
Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
Busy Philipps
"My heart is deeply hurting for all of us today…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," Busy, who worked with James on Dawson's Creek, wrote in a post. "But I am profoundly heartbroken for his incredible wife Kimberly and their six magical children."
She added, "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."
Ernesto Ruscio/Getty Images
Ashton Kutcher
"Had the good fortune of knowing and growing with this guy," Ashton wrote in a post on X. "Rip."
Stephanie Augello/FX via Getty Images
Benito "Benny Drama" Skinner
The Overcompensating star and writer, who worked with James on the Prime Video series, wrote in an Instagram Story, "A legend in every way."
J. Countess/Getty Images
Claire Coffee
"I worked with James so many years ago and he remains one of the kindest, wisest, most generous scene partners I’ve ever had," the Franklin & Bash alum wrote. "What a beautiful legacy he leaves. Sending so much love."
Manoli Figetakis/Getty Images)
Lin Manuel Miranda
After the news of the Dawson's Creek star's death broke, the Hamilton writer shared a selfie with his family from the show's 2025 reunion, writing, "My whole heart is with the Van Der Beek family today."
Stacy Kiebler/Instagram
Stacy Kiebler
"You showed me what it looks like to trust God’s plan, even when it breaks your heart," she wrote on Instagram. "Especially when it breaks your heart."
She continued, "The other night we watched the sunset together as you shared your wisdom, your hopes, and the promises we made to each other. We talked about how this world can feel upside down…and how maybe heaven needs your spirit now to help steady us down here. And just as the sun slipped away, a shooting star crossed the sky…as if to remind us that none of this is random."
As she put it, "You are a gift."
Jason Davis/Getty Images for Alzheimer's Association
Danica McKellar
"A beautiful soul and unthinkably tragic loss," she noted on Instagram. "Sending prayers of peace to your family as you process this. We are all by your side."
Marc Piasecki/WireImage
Kate Walsh
Sharing she was feeling heartbroken, the Grey's Anatomy alum added, "Sending love, light & strength to you dear @vanderkimberly."
Amy Sussman / Staff / GETTY IMAGES
Jennifer Garner
"What a heartbreaking loss," the actress wrote. "So much love to you, Kimberly, and to your kids, as you navigate this tender time."
Randy Brooke/Getty Images
Christie Brinkley
"His kindness radiated, his love for his family was palpable it sparkled , everybody loved him," she reflected. "My most heartfelt condolences go out to his beautiful family he adored."
Monica Schipper/Getty Images
Nikki Reed
"You beautiful soul," she began. "Anyone
who had the privilege of knowing you is forever changed by you. Your depth, your presence, your unparalleled love for your family. The connection you and Kimberly have that transcends lifetimes. You still hold the prize for wisest person I’ve ever known. Every piece of advice, every nugget of life experience you shared was a treasure I’ll hold close forever."
She continued, "And don’t even get me started on the gift you had with words. When you picked up your pen, you made all of us remember what tenderness feels like on a page. Oh James, you are so so so deeply loved. And so so deeply missed. My heart aches and I’m sure the ripples of those aches will be felt forever."
"And Kimberly," the Twilight alum added, "we are all wrapping you and those sweet babies in love. My special sister, you and James are the greatest example of love I’ve ever known. Here for you in every way, forever."
Astrida Valigorsky/Getty Images
Melissa Joan Hart
"I'm heartbroken to hear that @vanderjames has passed away," she wrote in an Instagram post. "He was truly a nice guy, a great father, wonderful actor and will always be my first on screen kiss when he guest starred on #ClarissaExplainsItAll."
She continued, "Gone way too soon but it seems like he put up one hell of a fight. We ran into each other at the singing game show #WeAreFamily about two years ago when he sang a song with his daughter, encouraging her like a good dad does. My thoughts and prayers go out to his 6 kids, his wife and family!"
Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
Emma Slater
The DWTS pro, who competed with James on the show's 28th season, wrote, "I’m so devastated. He is and will always be family to me. Love you so much James. The man that you are, you can be proud of. So grateful that I got to be there to say goodbye to you.”
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Olivia Munn
"I’m so sorry," she wrote. "My prayers are with you and your beautiful family."
Jason Davis/WireImage
Katharine McPhee Foster
"This is just beyond devastating news," she said. "I’m so so sorry for your loss. God bless you all."
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Paul Walter Hauser
"Love you, James," Paul wrote on Instagram. "I know you’re in Heaven being pampered with love. The Van Der Beeks will be in our daily prayers and we’ll be drumming up some money to support your beautiful family."
"Thanks for the body of work," he added, "and for being one of the good guys."
Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney
Daniella Karagach
The Dancing With the Stars pro wrote, "Sending so much love and prayers."
Raymond Hall/GC Images
Jenna Dewan
"I will always and forever remember your sweet gentle soul," she shared. "My love and prayers with Kim and the entire family."
Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images
Chad Michael Murray
"Sending love and light to your beautiful family," the One Tree Hill alum wrote. "James was a giant. We’re so so so sorry for what you’re going through. His words, art and humanity inspired all of us- he inspired us to be better in all ways. God bless you guys.”
Frazer Harrison / Staff / GETTY IMAGES
Erin Foster
As she wrote on Instagram, "Sending so much love to your family."
Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock
Rumer Willis
"My dear wonderful friends I love you all, I am keeping you all in my heart," she wrote in the comments of the psot announcing James' passing. "Im so lucky to have had you in my life for so long. James set the bar as a husband and a father and big brother (to me) I am so grateful to have witnessed your love and respect and care for each other."
She added, "Sending all the love and light to you all."
Chris Haston/WBTV via Getty Images
Alfonso Ribeiro
"I am broken," the DWTS host wrote on Instagram. "So happy to have him in my life. Lucky I got to be there to say goodbye."
Jason Mendez/Getty Images
Sarah Michelle Gellar
"I’m so sad for your beautiful family," she wrote on Instagram. "While James legacy will always live on, this is a huge loss to not just your family but the world. Fuck Cancer."
Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock
Hilaria Baldwin
She shared her love in the comments, writing, "Sending so much love. I’m so sorry."
Hayley Kiyoko
Under James' family's post confirming he had died, the Lemonade Mouth actress wrote, "I am so incredibly sorry for you and your family. He always led with kindness and love. His light will carry on."
Charles Sykes/Bravo
Jamie-Lynn Sigler
"We are the luckiest to have been part of his tribe," Jamie wrote under James' death announcement. "Fly high James. You were everything good in this world."
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Glamour
Iskra Lawrence
The British model wrote to James' wife Kimberly in an Instagram comment, "Sending so much love to you and the kids praying over you."
Paul Morigi/Getty Images
David Boreanaz
"Prayers are with the family," the Bones star wrote in an Instagram comment. "James was a straight up gentleman full of kindness, joy and love. I hold fond memories of conversations with him. Thank you brother , your light shines brighter."
Harold Cunningham - FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images
Carli Lloyd
"Heartbreaking," the soccer star wrote in an Instagram post. "Prayers to all his loved ones."
Paul Archuleta/Getty Images
Tammin Sursok
"Sending love," the Aquamarine actress wrote in the comments of James' death announcement. "I’m so so sorry."
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
English (US) ·