James Van Der Beek<\/a> was one in a billion and he will be forever missed and i don\u2019t know what else to say. i am just so so sad. He was my friend and i loved him and i\u2019m so grateful for our friendship all these years.[heart emoji].(sic)”<\/p>\nKerr Smith, who played Jack McPhee on the show, paid tribute to his “brother”.<\/p>\n
\nHe wrote on Instagram: \u201cI\u2019m so grateful for being able to call James a brother. I\u2019ll miss him deeply. Rest easy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nJames’ Dawson’s Creek screen mom, Mary-Margaret Humes, admitted her co-star’s passing had left her “at a loss for words”.<\/p>\n
\nShe wrote on Instagram: \u201cRarely am I at a loss for words \u2026 today would be the exception. <\/p>\n
\n“James, my gracious warrior, you fought a hard battle against all odds with such quiet strength and dignity. I will always love and admire you for that. <\/p>\n
\n“Our last conversations \u2026 merely a few days ago \u2026 are forever sitting softly in my heart for safe keeping. <\/p>\n
\n“To our extended Dawson\u2019s Creek family of friends, please be respectful of our silences at the moment as Beautiful Kimberly and family have asked for peaceful privacy for now.(sic)”<\/p>\n
\nSasha Alexander, who played Gretchen Witter, the older sister of Pacey Witter and a girlfriend of Dawson, admitted she was “heartbroken” by the news.<\/p>\n
\nShe commentd on Mary-Margaret’s post: \u201cJust heartbroken. I am so sorry for all of our losses. James was a beautiful soul and kind human. Prayers for his whole family.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nShe later shared her own tribute, adding photos of James over the years.<\/p>\n
\nShe wrote: \u201cIt feels like yesterday that we were sitting beneath those pink Wilmington sunsets, filming during the beautiful Dawson\u2019s Creek years. What made Dawson special was the man who played him.<\/p>\n
\n“James was a deep, thoughtful soul. He took his work seriously, not out of ego, but out of care. He cared about being a good actor. He cared about doing things well and he never took any of it for granted. But more than anything, he cared about people. He cared about his family. He cared about showing up fully.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n“I am heartbroken for everyone who loved him, especially his beautiful family.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cI will always be grateful that I got to stand in his light for a little while. That I got to laugh with him, go to prom with Dawson and grow up alongside him. He will live on in our memories, and in the kindness he left behind. Rest in Peace, my friend.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe official Instagram page for the show hailed James’ portrayal of Dawson Leery “iconic”.<\/p>\n
\nA statement said: \u201cWe are deeply saddened by the passing of James Van Der Beek.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cHis iconic portrayal of Dawson Leery helped define a generation of television for fans and continues to resonate with audiences today. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.\u201d<\/p>\n
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