Paula Cole honors Van Der Beek’s brave health battle

Paula Cole, who gave the iconic opening theme song to the Dawson’s Creek is lamenting over the death of James Van Der Beek.

The 57-year-old American songwriter revealed why she has failed to attend a reunion of Dawson creek months before his death.

The I Don't Want to Wait singer and writer, tributed Van Der Beek and called him a wise, loving and gentle soul.

In the caption of an Instagram post on Wednesday, February 17, she penned, "I’m grieving for the loss of such a beautiful person in our world.”

Adding, “such a father to his family and husband to," mentioning his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek.

Notably, in September 2025, the cast reunited in New York City to raise money in order to support F Cancer.

Van Der Beek was then being treated after being diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in 2024.

Cole did not attend the fundraiser sharing the reason that her mother was is in hospice. She explained that she is in collective grief and affection towards his family.

Notably, the actor opened up on how his diagnosis changed the worldview prior to his death on the age of 48.

Cole concluded her tribute by urging fans to contribute to a GoFundMe established by his family, saying "Love is what we leave behind after a lifetime. And love lives eternally."