This one is super tough. I knew James Van Der Beek had been battling cancer, but when news broke of his passing at age 48, it felt like a punch to the gut.
All of us ’90s kids know Van Der Beek from the iconic, gen-ex pioneering show “Dawson’s Creek.” The coming-of-age series defined the genre of teen drama and remains one of the most influential (and best) TV series of all time.
Van Der Beek has a ton of movies to his credit. The most known is the 1999 sports/comedy “Varsity Blues” which I shamefully have never watched. I love his Christmas movie “Mrs. Miracle,” where he co-starred with Doris Roberts. He appeared in season 28 of the reality show “Dancing with the Stars.” He also starred in the underrated sitcom “Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23,” which I loved.
James Van Der Beek seemed like a really cool and down-to-Earth guy who I would have loved to meet. He leaves behind a wife of 16 years and six children.
