Home / Arts and Entertainment / James Van Der Beek Honored in 'Legally Blonde' Prequel Premiere
James Van Der Beek Honored in 'Legally Blonde' Prequel Premiere
25 Jun
Summary
- Actor James Van Der Beek honored posthumously at the premiere of 'Elle'.
- His final role was as Dean Wilson in the 1995-set 'Legally Blonde' prequel.
- Van Der Beek passed away in February after a two-year cancer battle.
The television prequel series 'Elle,' set in 1995, premiered this week, featuring the final role of actor James Van Der Beek. Van Der Beek, beloved for his work in 'Dawson's Creek' and 'Varsity Blues,' passed away in February at age 48 after a two-year battle with cancer.
He portrayed Dean Wilson, a mayoral candidate, in the 'Legally Blonde' prequel. Showrunner Caroline Dries honored Van Der Beek at the premiere, sharing touching anecdotes about his presence on set. She highlighted his positive demeanor and legacy, noting his dedication to life despite his illness.
Van Der Beek was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in August 2023, a fact made public in November 2024. During his illness, he continued working, appearing in 'The Masked Singer,' 'Overcompensating,' and the film 'The Gates.' 'Elle' marks his last completed work.
The series follows a 16-year-old Elle Woods before her time at Harvard Law School. The story begins with Elle establishing her ideal high school life in Los Angeles before her parents relocate her to Seattle, Washington, where she navigates a new environment.
Reese Witherspoon, the original Elle Woods and executive producer of the prequel, also paid tribute to Van Der Beek after his death, describing him as an "extraordinary, talented man who also showed great kindness and grace." The series 'Elle' is scheduled to be available with an Amazon Prime subscription starting July 1.
James Van Der Beek leaves behind six children whom he shared with his wife, Kimberly Brook. His appearance in 'Elle' will be his final contribution to television.
