News that James Van Der Beek has passed has rippled through the entertainment community, and inside the ABC soap’s tight-knit family, the reaction has been deeply personal.

Co-stars, alumni, and daytime veterans have begun sharing memories, private messages, and heartfelt tributes, remembering not just the performer audiences grew up with,

but the man they knew behind the scenes. For many in Port Charles, Van Der Beek represented a generation of storytelling that helped shape their own careers.

Whether they worked with him directly, crossed paths at industry events, or simply admired the sincerity he brought to his roles, the sense of loss has been palpable.

Several actors described him as generous with his time, quick with encouragement, and unfailingly kind to younger performers trying to find their footing in a demanding business. In a genre built on longevity and loyalty, those qualities matter.

One longtime cast member reflected that Van Der Beek carried his fame lightly. Despite becoming a household name early in his career, he remained approachable — someone who would linger in conversation, ask about your family, and actually listen to the answer. Another remembered how he never seemed jaded by the spotlight, retaining a gratitude that made every interaction warmer.

The tributes are not only about nostalgia. They’re about impact.

Daytime actors in particular understand the rare bond formed with audiences who invite characters into their homes five days a week, year after year. They saw in Van Der Beek someone who understood that responsibility and treated it with care. He played emotion big when it mattered, but never lost the humanity underneath.

Behind the curtain, stories of quiet generosity are emerging — surprise phone calls, thoughtful notes, unexpected support during difficult moments. The kind of gestures that rarely make headlines but build a legacy just the same.

As word continues to spread, fans have joined the chorus, revisiting favorite scenes, interviews, and red-carpet appearances. For many, he was a first crush, a familiar face during formative years, a reminder of a particular era of television. That shared memory now carries an ache.

Within the General Hospital community, conversations have turned toward gratitude — for the work he left behind, for the example he set, and for the reminder to cherish the people who make the journey worthwhile.

Grief moves quickly through Hollywood, but so does remembrance. And if the outpouring from Port Charles is any indication, James Van Der Beek will be remembered not only for the characters he portrayed, but for the compassion he extended when the cameras stopped rolling.