‘Wise, loving and gentle soul’: Paula Cole remembers ‘Dawson’s Creek’s late star James Van Der Beek | English Movie News – The Times of India

James Van Der Beek’s loss of life hit the leisure trade arduous. Finest often called Dawson Leery from the ‘90s hit sequence ‘Dawson’s Creek’, he handed away on February 11, 2026, at simply 48, after an extended, public struggle with stage 3 colorectal most cancers. Followers, associates, and colleagues all felt the loss.Paula Cole, whose track ‘I Don’t Need to Wait’ is perpetually tied to ‘Dawson’s Creek’, not too long ago paid tribute to the late star by way of social media.Paula Cole’s tributeIn her Instagram publish, Cole known as James “a clever, loving, and gentle soul” in an Instagram publish. “I’m grieving for the loss of such a phenomenal individual in our world, such a father to his household and husband to @vanderkimberly,” she wrote, posting pictures of James together with his youngsters.For the unversed, Paula Cole recorded the present’s theme track earlier than Dawson’s Creek even aired again in January 1998. Years later, in September 2025, the solid reunited in New York for an occasion supporting F Most cancers and James himself, who was nonetheless preventing. Cole needed to be there, however she couldn’t make it. Her mom was in hospice care on the time.“I want I may have attended the fundraising occasion in NYC within the Fall, and to have met up with so many of the @dawsonscreek_official household, however my Mother has been in hospice,” Cole shared. “Please know I’m right here in shared unhappiness and love for his household.”Cole additionally urged followers to maintain supporting the GoFundMe marketing campaign for the Van Der Beek household throughout this robust stretch.James Van Der Beek: An premature demise of a beloved starJames Van Der Beek actually made his mark as Dawson in ‘Dawson’s Creek’ — an earnest, slightly awkward, and relatable. The present caught with folks. After ‘Dawson’s Creek’, he took on all kinds of roles, from ‘Varsity Blues’ to poking enjoyable at himself in ‘Don’t Belief the B—- in Condominium 23’.In August 2023, James came upon he had stage 3 colorectal most cancers. He saved it non-public at first, however later revealed his prognosis in November 2024. All through his journey, Van Der Beek shared his expertise, he fought, and he tried each possibility for care. Close to the tip, he even auctioned off memorabilia from ‘Dawson’s Creek’ and ‘Varsity Blues’ in late 2025 to assist cowl the mounting medical payments.The star handed away on February 11.Per Folks, his spouse, Kimberly Van Der Beek, broke the information, stating that the “loving husband, father, son, brother, and buddy,” handed away surrounded by his household at residence.