by Chelsea StewartBuzzFeedBuzzFeed Staff Dawson's Creek actor James Van Der Beek has died at 48, his wife confirmed in a statement. Adam Knott / Getty Images James had previously battled colorectal cancer - a diagnosis he first shared in 2024. In an interview from last December, he described the experience as "the wildest, hardest journey I've ever had in this lifetime. It's required more patience, more discipline, more strength than I knew I had, quite frankly. But there's also been a lot of beauty in it." Tommaso Boddi / Getty Images Since the news of his death broke, many of James's costars and industry peers have taken to social media to mourn his death. Candace Cameron Bure, who competed on Season 13 of The Masked Singer with James, shared a photo of him on Instagram, accompanied by a string of broken heart emojis. @candacecameronbure / Via Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/candacecbure/?hl=en Sharon Stone left a heart emoji under Variety's Instagram tribute to James. @variety / Via Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/variety/p/DUoSR_WEnLk/?hl=en "Oh this breaks my heart," wrote TV personality Amanda Kloots. "Love to their family." @entertainmenttonight / Via Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/entertainmenttonight/p/DUoS08qErxj/?hl=en Busy Philipps, James's Dawson's Creek costar, liked the Instagram tribute Variety posted in his honor. @variety / Via Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/variety/p/DUoSR_WEnLk/?hl=en She further said in her own Instagram tribute that she was "heartbroken" by James's death. "I don't know what else to say," she continued. "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.❤️" "I will always and forever remember your sweet gentle soul," Jenna Dewan said in a comment. "My love and prayers with Kim [Van Der Beek] and the entire family." @vanderjames / Via instagram.com Rumer Willis praised James as a loving husband, father, and big brother. @vanderjames / Via instagram.com "What a heartbreaking loss," wrote Jennifer Garner. "So much love to you, Kimberly, and to your kids, as you navigate this tender time." @vanderjames / Via instagram.com Olivia Munn said, "I'm so sorry. My prayers are with you and your beautiful family." @vanderjames / Via instagram.com "Fuck cancer," actor Kevin Pollak commented in part. @vanderjames / Via instagram.com "A beautiful soul and unthinkably tragic loss," wrote Wonder Years actor Danica McKellar. "Sending prayers of peace to your family as you process this. We are all by your side." @vanderjames / Via instagram.com This post is being updated. Comments