Celebrity Death

"Dancing With the Stars" pro Emma Slater saw her 'DWTS' partner James Van Der Beek just days before his death ... and she expressed her gratitude for their final meeting in an emotional tribute to the late actor.

Emma was paired with Van Der Beek in Season 28 of the dancing competition show in 2019, and she posted her favorite pic from their season to Instagram on Wednesday, calling him her "big brother."

She wrote ... "All those who had the pleasure of having you in their lives are blessed. Forever changed by your brilliance. We got to have these beautiful years sharing life together. It started with being dance partners and I was beyond excited to be dancing with you, and it continued into the deepest of friendships."

Reese Witherspoon is honoring James Van Der Beek's life as she mourns his death, saying she's heartbroken over the loss of the talented actor.

Witherspoon paid tribute to Van Der Beek on her Instagram Story after he passed away Wednesday in Austin, Texas. While an official cause of death has not been released, Van Der Beek had been battling stage 3 colorectal cancer since August 2023.

Reese writes she's "devastated" about Van Der Beek's passing, calling him an "extraordinary, talented man who also showed great kindness and grace in every action.” Witherspoon went on to say she's praying for Van Der Beek's family.

Van Der Beek's final acting role will come in the upcoming TV series, "Elle," based on Reese's iconic character, Elle Woods, from the 2001 flick "Legally Blonde." Witherspoon is an executive producer on the show, which is set to premiere on July 1. In the series, Van Der Beek portrays Dean Wilson -- a school superintendent and mayoral candidate.

James Van Der Beek's GoFundMe has raised more than a million bucks less than 24 hours after his death was announced ... and it's still growing.

As of Thursday morning, the crowdfunding page has $1.2 million in donations, from fans and big-name friends alike. "Dancing with the Stars" pro Derek Hough dropped $1,000, Oscar-winner Zoe Saldana -- using her married name of Zoe Saldaña-Perego -- donated $2,500, the Marla Maples Foundation sent in $5,000, and Lyn Lear, the late Norman Lear’s wife, and YouTuber Codie Sanchez even each donated $5,000 on a monthly basis!

Notably, TMZ has not verified the donations -- but it's clear Van Der Beek's death hit people in the heartstrings, as more than 24,000 donations have poured in.

James Van Der Beek has died ... TMZ has learned.

A rep for the Travis County Medical Examiner's Office in Texas says ... it was reported to them at 6:44 AM. No cause of death was given.

James' wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, posted about his passing shortly after we broke the news ... writing in a shared Instagram post her husband "met his final days with courage, faith, and grace." She asked for privacy for their family at this time.

Tributes are pouring in for James Van Der Beek following his death today at 48 -- with celebs making their heartbreak loud and clear.

Derek Hough shared an emotional IG post sending prayers to James’ wife and children, while Sarah Michelle Gellar reflected on growing up alongside him. Noah Beck posted a still with James from the comedy "Sidelined: The QB and Me," writing simply, "Bye for now."

Alfonso Ribeiro paid a lengthy tribute to his 'true friend, brother and life guide," while Rumer Willis shared a link to a GoFundMe set up by James' family and friends to help cover his medical bills.

James Van Der Beek's family says his declining health and his death brought on significant financial strain ... and now a crowdfunding page has been set up to help pay the bills.

James' wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, said on Instagram her friends organized a GoFundMe with a $500,000 goal ... and it's already crossed $200,000 in donations ... including a $1,000 pledge from 'DWTS' pro and EXTRA host Derek Hough.

We broke the story ... James died today at 48.

David Archuleta is opening up about the darkest chapter of his life ... revealing he was actively scouting locations to end his life before his faith stopped him.

The former "American Idol" star, now 35, makes the heartbreaking confession in his upcoming memoir "Devout: Losing My Faith to Find Myself," out Feb. 17, admitting he was in deep turmoil trying to reconcile his sexuality with his Mormon faith.

In a devastating excerpt obtained by PEOPLE, David says he would go on short drives, quietly searching for places where he could crash his car without hurting anyone else.

Actor Bud Cort, who starred in movies and TV for decades, has died.

Cort had many credits, beginning in television and movies in the late 1960s, and working steadily into the 21st century.

Cort starred in the films "Harold and Maude" and "The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou," and was featured in "Coyote Ugly" and "M*A*S*H" among many others.

He had a notable role in the TV show "Arrested Development." Most recently, he was the voice of The King in 2015's animated movie "The Little Prince."

Catherine O'Hara passed away from a blood clot in the lungs ... TMZ has learned.

The L.A. County Department of Public Health released the actress' death certificate Monday, which lists her cause of death … O'Hara's immediate cause of death is listed as pulmonary embolism, with rectal cancer as the underlying cause.

The death certificate says she was cremated and her remains were given to her husband, Robert "Bo" Welch.

We broke the story ... O'Hara passed away at the end of January, two sources with direct knowledge told us at the time. She had been rushed to the hospital in serious condition. She was reported by dispatch personnel as having trouble breathing.

Blake Garrett -- best known for his role in "How to Eat Fried Worms" -- has died at age 33 ... TMZ has learned.

Blake's mom, Carol Garrett, tells TMZ ... the former child star passed away Sunday. She says the family is still awaiting the autopsy results from the medical examiner to determine an official cause of death.

She tells us Blake went to the emergency room last week in Oklahoma after experiencing intense pain and was later diagnosed with shingles. Carol adds Blake may have self-medicated to cope with the pain from the viral infection, and she believes his death could have been a tragic accident.

Brad Arnold -- a founding member and the lead singer of 3 Doors Down -- has died, the band announced in a social media post.

The statement explains Brad passed away peacefully early Saturday while surrounded by his wife, other family members and loved ones following his cancer diagnosis.

The band writes Brad helped redefine rock music through his work with 3DD ... producing enduring hits over the years like "Kryptonite" -- which he penned while sitting through math class in high school.

Terrance Gore -- the former MLB star who played for multiple World Series-winning teams -- has died.

A shared Instagram post between Gore's account and the Gap to Gap Baseball Academy confirmed the news Saturday ... with the academy noting the world "lost a tremendous man last night, but more importantly a family lost a dad, a husband, a brother."

The announcement revealed he died Friday evening. A cause of death has not been shared.

Multiple tributes have been posted since the news broke ... with the Kansas City Royals -- the team for which Gore played a majority of his games at the major league level -- and MLB also sharing their condolences.

6:53 PM PT -- The Fulton County Medical Examiner tells TMZ ... Nathan's cause and manner of death are currently undetermined.

DJ Young Slade -- Lil Jon's son -- has died ... his father announced in a statement Friday.

Lil Jon tells TMZ ... "I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith. His mother, Nicole Smith, and I are devastated. Nathan was the kindest human being you would ever meet. He was immensely caring, thoughtful, polite, passionate, and warmhearted -- he loved his family and the friends in his life to the fullest."

Jon said, "He was an amazingly talented young man; a music producer, an artist and engineer, and graduate of NYU. We loved Nathan with all of our hearts and are incredibly proud of him. He was loved and appreciated, and in our last times together we're comforted in knowing that we expressed that very sentiment to him."

Jon thanked the Milton Police Department for their help searching for his son.

Nathan was reported missing on Tuesday this week ... earlier today, searchers pulled a body from a pond in the area. Police said there was no indication of foul play. Milton, Georgia is about 30 miles north of Atlanta.

Nathan Smith was 27.

Charles C. Stevenson Jr. -- the actor most famous for playing Smitty the bartender on "Will & Grace" -- has died.

He died of natural causes on Jan. 19 in Camarillo, California, his son Scott confirmed to TMZ. Variety was first to report the news.

Aside from playing the beloved barman, Stevenson was known for portraying preachers, priests, and pastors in supporting roles throughout his decades-long career.

T.K. Carter heart gave out ... according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner.

The M.E. lists the actor's cause of death as systolic heart failure. Atrial fibrillation and pulmonary hypertension were contributing factors.

We broke the story ... Carter -- best known for playing Nauls in the 1982 sci-fi horror flick "The Thing" -- was found dead in his Duarte, California residence last week after a call for service was made. No foul play is suspected.

Acclaimed jazz bandleader Ken Peplowski has died ... and his sudden passing occurred right before he was to play on a cruise already at sea, TMZ has learned.

A passenger on The Jazz Cruise tells TMZ ... the renowned clarinetist and saxophonist died yesterday. Ken was supposed to play on the cruise in the late afternoon with a quartet ... and was a no-show. A search ensued and he was found dead inside his cabin. His death was announced prior to the big band main feature concert later that night. The ballroom was shocked ... with a lot of gasps and then silence.

A statement from the niche cruise's executive director, Michael Lazaroff, reads in part ... "He was a great musician, but he was also one of the very best entertainers ever. I do not know any musician who respected the bandstand more than Ken. He was always prepared, love performing with his fellow musicians, and, man, could he play!"