Reese Witherspoon Devastated by Loss of James Van Der Beek Who Starred in Legally Blonde Prequel

Reese Witherspoon is mourning the loss of James Van Der Beek, who passed away on Wednesday, February 11, at the age of 48. The actor, best known for his breakout role in Dawson’s Creek and his starring role in Varsity Blues, had been privately battling stage 3 colorectal cancer since August 2023.

Witherspoon shared her heartbreak on social media, saying she was devastated by the news. She praised Van Der Beek as an extraordinary, talented man who always carried himself with kindness and grace.

She added that she was praying all the angels watch over his family as they navigate this painful time. The two stars, who became household names in the late 1990s, recently reunited professionally for the television series Elle, a prequel to Witherspoon’s 2001 hit Legally Blonde.

The show, produced by Witherspoon’s company Hello Sunshine, follows a young Elle Woods during her high school years, before she heads to Harvard Law. Van Der Beek played Dean Wilson, a local school superintendent and mayoral candidate. According to sources, this role was his final performance.

Witherspoon has expressed excitement about the project, calling it a fun and clever way to show how young Elle navigated her world using her wit and resourcefulness. For fans, Elle offers a fresh glimpse into a beloved universe, and Van Der Beek’s performance will now carry extra meaning.

Filming for Elle was a major focus for Witherspoon, who has spent years developing the expanding Legally Blonde universe. The series stars Lexi Minetree as the teenage Elle Woods, with Tom Everett Scott and June Diane Raphael portraying her parents.

Amazon MGM Studios has already renewed the show for a second season, showing confidence in the franchise’s potential. Van Der Beek’s passing comes at a time when Witherspoon herself is experiencing a busy year in Hollywood.

Alongside Elle, she is producing the Apple TV drama Lucky and continuing work on the long-awaited Legally Blonde 3. She also recently announced a partnership with Mattel to produce a live-action Polly Pocket film starring Lily Collins.

While Van Der Beek was widely recognized for his teen and young adult roles, his career extended well beyond that era. He appeared in television series like What Would You Do. Fans remember him not just for his charm and talent, but for his professionalism and kindness on set. For Witherspoon, working with Van Der Beek on Elle had a special significance.

Reese Witherspoon and James Van Der Beek were part of the generation that defined late ’90s and early 2000s teen film and television, and their careers have continued to evolve in exciting ways.

While Witherspoon has focused heavily on producing and bringing new stories to the screen, Van Der Beek remained active, taking on projects that allowed him to challenge himself as an actor.

Do you think James Van Der Beek’s final role in the Legally Blonde universe is a fitting way to honor his legacy and career? Share your thoughts in the comments.