That blows. My favorite role of his was in the music video for Kesha’s “Blow.” He went by James Van Der Douche in that one.
Incredibly sad, though unfortunately not totally unexpected. When I saw the video he sent in to that Dawson’s Creek reunion, I knew that the situation was quite grim. He was so very gaunt in appearance.
Varsity Blues is starting to look like a cursed movie. This is now four cast members of the movie that have died at young ages. Van Der Beek and Ron Lester died of natural causes while Paul Walker and Joe Pichler did not (Walker of course died in a car accident; Pichler, who played Van Der Beek’s character’s little brother, disappeared in 2006 and is widely believed to have committed suicide).
I watched Dawson’s Creek when I was in college. Perfect background while doing homework. He died at 48. I turn 48 tomorrow. Gives me a lot to think about.
I’ll always enjoy his cameo in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back as himself, playing Jay in the film-within-the-film .
Had no idea he was sick. I not too long ago rewatched all of Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23, where he played James Van Der Beek.
I did too and it was such a great show and I really admired that he could mock himself so well.