I’ve today learned that my dear friend James Van Der Beek, with whom I worked with on The Rules of Attraction, who has been a pillar of strength to me and my family during the hardest of times, passed away last night. I knew he was fighting a terrible battle with courage and compassion, and I’m blessed that we had just recently had a very philosophical and existential phone conversation. I have never known anyone else quite like him, and rarely felt so close a working connection, and my heart is broken at the loss, and my thoughts and prayers are with his wife and children. God bless you, James. I love you forever.

@AVARY La tristesse durera toujours

@AVARY He was amazing in that movie

@AVARY We’re all James Van Der Beek 🙏

@AVARY RIP. Rules was my favorite performance by James. Like Gilliam's Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas I loved the book Rules of attraction and thought your adaption was as good as we were going to get without straying way off the difficult source material.

@AVARY Deepest condolences. He gave the performance of his life in RULES OF ATTRACTION. 🍻

@AVARY Rules of Attraction is still one of the greatest films ever

@AVARY Im legit hurt. That dude was a great family and lead by example for all us men. Sending love and energy to his beautiful fam - Rip James 💐💐💔✝️🪽

@AVARY sorry for your loss. he was excellent in rules of attraction. perfect casting

@AVARY I met you in London back in 2002 at a Rules of Attraction screening and was always so thrilled you put James in such an edgy role. So sorry for your loss. 💔

@AVARY One of my fav movies, he did an excellent job in everything he was in, always in on the joke

@AVARY Too young, too soon. Condolences.

@AVARY Just now listening to you on Joe Rogan and never realized you directed The Rules of Attraction. I was so enamored by Bret Easton Ellis’s book and then seeing James Van Der Beek take that turn in the film was marvelous. Pure cinema.

@AVARY Awful loss. Praying for you and for James’ family.

@AVARY Truly heartbreaking news. Just like Christian Bale where I can't envision anyone else playing Patrick Bateman, the same can be said with James for Sean. He made that role truly his own. He was phenomenal. Such a tragic loss.

@AVARY Sorry for your loss, Roger

@AVARY I happened to put it on. Free on TUBI.

@AVARY So sorry to hear that. My condolences.

@AVARY oh wow, that's tragic, I loved this guy he was great in everything.

@AVARY Awww man =(

@AVARY What the fuck??? Oh my god that is such sad news. My condolences to his family and friends. What a tragic loss. 😔

@AVARY May his memory be a blessing 🙏

@AVARY Beautifully said. My condolences.

@AVARY I'm so sorry for your loss.

@AVARY I remember you talking about him when we had that dinner interview in Geneva a few years ago. Such a devastating loss.

@AVARY Love that movie. May he R.I.P.

@AVARY Oh no, man! Very sad to hear this. Loved him in Rules of Attraction and he seemed like an amazing guy; a proud husband and father. Keeping James and his family in my prayers. May he rest in peace. 💔

@AVARY life ain't fair

@AVARY I’m so sorry Roger. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

@AVARY Loved him in The Rules of Attraction! 😢😢😢❤️

@AVARY My wife and I weren't ready to hear that. Damn.

@AVARY Rest in Peace Brother. He was awesome in The Rules of Attraction.

@AVARY 😔