Celebrity Death

"Varsity Blues" actor Eliel Swinton says he messaged his co-star James Van Der Beek before he died, telling TMZ Sports he had a gut feeling the actor's health was failing.

Swinton -- who acted alongside Van Der Beek in the 1999 hit football film -- told us he reached out to James a few weeks ago after noticing they hadn't communicated in some time, which concerned him given his cancer battle.

"I sent him a little note about maybe three weeks ago, maybe a month ago, on Instagram to him personally to say, 'Hey, man, I know you're sick. If I don't hear from you, it's okay. I'm here to help your family anyway I can with sports and stuff, but if I don't see you, brother, I will see you again upstairs. Love you,' and I didn't hear from him, so I realized it really got bad," Swinton said.

James Van Der Beek helped his family lay down some serious roots in Texas before his death ... he bought the ranch they'd been renting for years and sealed the deal just one month before he died amid a cancer battle.

The late "Dawson's Creek" star bought the sprawling Spicewood ranch back on January 9 for $4.76 million ... according to a new report from Realtor.com.

James moved to the ranch in 2020 with his wife and six children ... they were renting it, fell in love with the place, and one of his last acts was buying it.

Allison Holker has officially sold off her Los Angeles home ... and it went for a hefty $4,750,000.

The deal closed back in September ... nearly two years after she bought the stunning 6-bedroom, 7-bathroom Studio City property for $5 million, after selling the home she shared with Stephen “tWitch” Boss.

It also looks like Allison is fully turning the page ... we're told she sold the home to live full-time in Utah, suggesting her future is firmly tied to her new life with her fiancé Adam Edmunds ... who is CEO of a software company based in Utah.

"90 Day Fiancé" star Elizabeth Castravet’s father, Chuck Potthast, died from blunt force injuries after falling in a bathtub, TMZ has learned.

TMZ has obtained docs from the Hillsborough County, Florida Medical Examiner ... and Chuck’s cause of death in November was listed as blunt impact injuries to the face and neck, including facial lacerations and a fractured C6 vertebra. The report also notes positional asphyxia as a factor.

The medical examiner listed chronic alcohol use, liver cirrhosis, and acute alcohol intoxication as contributing causes ... meaning he had consumed a significant amount of alcohol before the fall.

The GoFundMe set up for James Van Der Beek's widow and his family is surging towards the $2 million mark ... and Steven Spielberg just gave it a serious boost.

The legendary director and wife Kate Capshaw dropped a massive $25,000 donation ... quickly landing the coveted "top donation" spot on the page set up to help James' family cover crushing cancer treatment costs.

Spielberg’s connection to James runs deep ... he was famously the filmmaking idol of James’ character Dawson Leery on "Dawson's Creek," and even showed up to the show's reunion last September while James battled his illness.

Anthony Joshua is paying permanent tribute to his late friends who tragically lost their lives in the December car crash -- getting their names tattooed on his arm.

The heavyweight boxing champ got the ink done a few weeks ago ... two months after his friends and trainers, Sina Ghami and Kevin "Latif" Ayodele, were killed in a car crash while they were visiting Nigeria. Joshua was a passenger in the vehicle and suffered injuries.

Fullham Tattoo in London revealed on Instagram that AJ's visit was a complete surprise and his first time at the shop.

Katie Holmes honored her "Dawson's Creek" costar James Van Der Beek in a moving handwritten letter following his death Wednesday.

Check out the note she shared on Instagram -- she recalls feeling safe to express herself on set with him ... and adds they have so many memories filled with "laughter, conversations about life, James Taylor songs" and "adventures of a unique youth."

She also commends his "compassion, bravery, selflessness and strength" before turning the note toward his widow, Kimberly, and their 6 children. She writes ... "We are here for you always. And will always be there to shower you with love and compassion."

Kevin Williamson -- the creator of "Dawson's Creek" -- is thanking fans for their outpouring of support after James Van Der Beek's death ... while also promising to be there for his widow, Kimberly.

The writer and director shared a heartfelt tribute to his late friend Thursday morning ... telling fans he's truly felt the love since we broke the new of Van Der Beek's Wednesday.

Williamson says he's trying to put into words what James meant to to him, but he hasn't been able to capture the brilliance of the late star with words ... and, he's not sure when those words might come.

"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."