United Kingdom, Feb. 19 -- James Van Der Beek was a "great leader on set", according to Algee Smith.

The Dawson's Creek star passed away on February 11, aged 48, and Algee has now opened up about his experience of working with James on The Gates, their new horror movie.

Algee, 31, told Extra: "I just want to send love to James' family and to James . He was just such a great leader on set. We all just absorbed and learned from him so much and he was so giving and caring.

"He invited us into his RV that he drove down from Austin . He wasn't staying in a regular hotel. He chose to stay in there. He just invited us in and he just had multiple conversations with us and that those are things that I'll cherish forever.

"But, you know, I'm ve...