Dawson's Creek actors have led tributes to James Van Der Beek, who has died aged 48 after suffering from bowel cancer.

The star was diagnosed with the disease in the latter half of 2023 but only revealed the news in November 2024.

Among those who reacted to Van Der Beek's death was his Dawson's Creek co-star Busy Philipps, who played a university roommate of Joey Potter, portrayed by Katie Holmes.

In a post on Instagram, Philipps wrote: 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.

She urged her 2.4m followers to help out his family through the online fundraiser that they had set up to help with medical bills and other expenses.

The GoFundMe page posted online on Wednesday solicited donations to assist Van Der Beek's widow Kimberley and their six children, whose ages range from four to 15.

I am profoundly heartbroken for his incredible wife Kimberly and their six magical children, Philipps said, sharing photos from their time on the teen drama, which aired between 1998 and 2003.

Mary-Margaret Humes, who played Van Der Beek's mother on Dawson's Creek, shared an Instagram tribute in honour of her late co-star on Wednesday.

Rarely am I at a loss for words ... today would be the exception. James, my gracious warrior, you fought a hard battle against all odds with such quiet strength and dignity, she wrote alongside two photos of them together.

Philipps and Van Der Beek reunited onscreen in 2012 for an episode of the ABC comedy Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23, in which Van Der Beek played a fictionalised version of himself.

Actress Krysten Ritter, Van Der Beek's co-star in Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23, remembered him as a beautiful human inside and out. She wrote on Instagram: Smart, funny, empathic, kind, talented and just pure magic. I'm so grateful for our friendship and so heartbroken. All my love goes out to his amazing wife Kimberly and their children.

While Van Der Beek was set to reunite with his Dawson's Creek co-stars last September, the actor could only make a video appearance due to his illness. Many of his friends, including Lin-Manuel Miranda and Alfonso Ribeiro, expressed their sorrow and shared fond memories, emphasizing the deep impact Van Der Beek had on those around him.