Bethany Joy Lenz, the beloved actress best known for her role as Haley James Scott on One Tree Hill, recently opened up about one of the most unexpected moments of her life — receiving a late-night phone call that changed everything. Although Lenz has shared many deeply personal stories over the years, this one stands out as especially emotional: in the dead of night, she was awakened by a call from the wife of her longtime friend and former Dawson’s Creek co-star James Van Der Beek, delivering heartbreaking news.
That call came at a time when most of the world was asleep, unaware of the unfolding tragedy. Lenz said the moment “shifted something deep inside” her, a sensation she described as losing a brother even though they were never blood relatives. The bond formed between actors who grew up in the spotlight — especially those who navigated early fame together — runs deep, and for Lenz, the connection with Van Der Beek was one of those rare, unshakeable friendships.
Van Der Beek, whose death at 48 shocked fans and colleagues alike, had been open about his health struggles in recent years, including treatment for illness that he faced with courage and grace. The news was shared publicly by his family in a statement that reflected his strength and the love surrounding him in his final days. Lenz said she felt the moments before dawn crack open something in her heart — a mix of grief, gratitude for their shared experiences, and acute awareness of loss.
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