Reese Witherspoon Mourns James Van Der Beek Following His Tragic Passing
Reese Witherspoon has expressed her profound sorrow following the passing of James Van Der Beek, who died on Wednesday, February 11, at the age of 48. The actor, who became a household name in the late 1990s, had been privately navigating a battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer since August 2023.
Witherspoon, who rose to fame during the same era, shared a heartfelt tribute on social media, describing herself as devastated by the news of his death. In her message, the actress praised Van Der Beek as an extraordinary, talented man who consistently conducted himself with great kindness and grace.
She extended her support to his family, stating that she was praying that all the angels watch over them as they navigate this painful loss. While both stars were icons of teen cinema and television in the ’90s—he with Dawson’s Creek and Varsity Blues, and she with Fear and Cruel Intentions—they had recently formed a professional bond on a new project.
Van Der Beek had completed filming a recurring role in the highly anticipated television series Elle, a prequel to Witherspoon’s 2001 classic Legally Blonde. Produced by Witherspoon’s company, Hello Sunshine, the show explores the high school years of a young Elle Woods before she heads to Harvard Law.
Van Der Beek portrayed Dean Wilson, a local school superintendent and a candidate for the mayor’s office, marking what will now be his final performance. The production of Elle has been a significant focus for Witherspoon, who has spent years developing the expanding world of the franchise.
She previously noted that she truly couldn’t be more excited to bring this new iteration of the character to the screen. According to Witherspoon, the show allows audiences to see how the future lawyer navigated her world as a teenager using her signature wit and resourcefulness, a prospect she found deeply rewarding.
As of this year, Reese Witherspoon remains one of the most powerful producers in Hollywood, with Hello Sunshine actively developing a wide array of content. In addition to Elle, which is set to premiere on Prime Video on July 1, she is executive producing the upcoming Apple TV drama Lucky.
She is also still working toward the long-delayed Legally Blonde 3, and she recently announced a partnership with Mattel to produce a live-action Polly Pocket film starring Lily Collins. The Elle series itself features a fresh-faced cast led by Lexi Minetree as the titular blonde, alongside veteran actors like Tom Everett Scott and June Diane Raphael as her parents.
The show has already received an early renewal for a second season, signaling strong confidence from Amazon MGM Studios in the franchise’s longevity. While the premiere will undoubtedly be a bittersweet moment for the cast and crew, it serves as a final testament to Van Der Beek’s enduring legacy and his dedication to his craft even during his illness.
How do you feel about James Van Der Beek’s final role being part of such a beloved and optimistic universe like Legally Blonde? Share your thoughts in the comments.