Melissa Joan Hart Remembers James Van Der Beek as Her First On-Screen Kiss

As Hollywood mourns the loss of James Van Der Beek, actress Melissa Joan Hart shared a touching memory of their time together. Van Der Beek, known for his roles in “Dawson’s Creek” and “Varsity Blues,” passed away on February 11, 2026, at the age of 48 after battling colorectal cancer.

Hart reminisced about Van Der Beek being her first on-screen kiss, a moment that occurred when he guest-starred on her Nickelodeon series, “Clarissa Explains It All.” She shared her heartbreak on Instagram, posting photos from the episode and writing, “He was truly a nice guy, a great father, wonderful actor and will always be my first on screen kiss when he guest starred on #ClarissaExplainsItAll. Gone way too soon but it seems like he place up one hell of a fight.”

The episode, titled “Alter Ego,” originally aired in December 1993 and was penned by future “Hunger Games” author Suzanne Collins. In the storyline, Van Der Beek played a drummer named Paulie who meets Clarissa while she is pretending to be a goth girl named Jade. The plot revolves around Clarissa’s fear that Paulie won’t like her true self, ultimately leading to a kiss when she reveals her authentic personality.

Van Der Beek himself reflected on the experience in a 2023 interview with Business Insider, acknowledging that on-screen kisses, especially at a young age, can be awkward. He was 16 years vintage during the filming of the episode. People Magazine reported on this recollection.

Hart also recalled a more recent encounter with Van Der Beek at a singing game demonstrate, “We Are Family,” approximately two years ago, where he sang with his daughter, demonstrating his dedication as a father. She extended her thoughts and prayers to his six children, wife, and family. Parade and EW also covered Hart’s tribute.

Kimberly Van Der Beek confirmed her husband’s passing on Instagram, stating that he died peacefully and faced his final days with courage, faith, and grace. She requested privacy for the family during their time of grief. MSN provided details on the family’s statement.