James Van Der Beek’s Elle Costar Details His Final Performance

Jun 30, 2026 - 16:14

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James Van Der Beek’s Elle Costar Details His Final Performance

Ahead of Prime Video’s Elle premiering July 1, June Diane Raphael told E! News what it was like working with James Van Der Beek in what would be his last project before his death.

James Van Der Beek's ‘Elle’ Costar Details Late Actor's Final Performance

James Van Der Beek didn’t want to wait to form a bond with June Diane Raphael.

Nearly six months after the Dawson’s Creek alum died following his cancer battle, his Elle costar emphasized it was “such an honor” to share the screen with him for his last role.

“I will remember how much he loved his family,” Raphael—who plays mom to Lexi Minetree’s Elle Woods in the prequel series—told E! News in an exclusive interview. “And how much he talked about them between every take.”

Indeed, Raphael noted that Van Der Beek always made sure to prioritize time with his and Kimberly Van Der Beek’s six children.

“Between every set up, between every small pause in filming, he’d tell me about his kids and all of their different likes and dislikes and where they were in their lives,” Raphael recalled. “I was so blown away by what kind of dad he was, and how in love with his wife he was.”

At one point, Raphael shared Van Der Beek even brought his brood to set, adding, “It was so much fun to have them there and for them to see him work.”

In fact, Raphael joked that seeing Van Der Beek’s dedication to his family caused tension between her and husband Paul Scheer. As she put it, “I remember calling my own husband and being like, ‘You do not speak about me like this buddy.’”

“He was just so enamored with Kimberly,” Raphael continued. “That was really my big take away.”

And Raphael knows Van Der Beek’s portrayal of Elle’s school superintendent Dean Wilson in the Prime Video series—which premieres July 1—will be a hit.

Kimberly Van Der Beek/Instagram

“I know his fans will be so excited to see him,” she added, “and I think he gives a beautiful performance in the show.”

While Van Der Beek gave everything to his craft in the toughest moments of his cancer battle, the actor also emphasized he didn’t put anything above raising his six kids alongside his wife in Texas.

"With this many beautiful little humans around and an amazing wife, it's kind of about picking the things that are on the plate,” Van Der Beek told E! News in a 2022 interview, “and then just making human interaction out of it.”

As he noted of how he was feeling in his final years, “I really feel grounded.”

For a look back at Van Der Beek’s life in photos, keep reading…

New Line Cinema/Courtesy Everett Collection

1995

Angus

Lisa Rose/ZUMA Wire

1997

Frank Ockenfels/Warner Bros Tv/Kobal

1998

Dawson's Creek

Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

1998