James Van Der Beek has died following his 2023 diagnosis of colorectal cancer
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Van Der Beek played Dawson Leery on the beloved teen series Dawson's Creek between 1998 and 2003
The actor's costar, Katie Holmes, who played Dawson's best friend and sometime love interest, Joey Potter, paid tribute to her friend in a heartfelt message posted to Instagram
James Van Der Beek'sDawson's Creekcostar,Katie Holmes,is paying tribute to the star following hisdeathon Wednesday, Feb. 11, at age 48.
In a moving, hand-written tribute posted toInstagram, Holmes said that the actor's death was "a lot to process," and that she'd written her words with a "heavy heart."
"I am so grateful to have shared in a piece of James' journey. He is beloved. Kimberly, we love you and will be here always for you and your beautiful children," themom of one, 47, added in a caption, referencing theactor's family.
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Her emotional words began by addressing the Van Der Beek, who played the title character, Dawson Leery, inDawson's Creekfrom 1998-2003.
"James, thank you. To share a space with your imagination is sacred — breathing the same air in the land of make believe and trusting that each other's hearts are safe in their expression."
She continued, "These are some of the memories, along with laughter, conversations about life, James Taylor songs — adventures of a unique youth."
Holmes then listed some of Van Der Beek's best qualities, including "compassion, bravery, selflessness and strength."
"An appreciation for life with the integrity that life is art — creating a beautiful marriage, six loving children — the journey of a hero," she added.
Holmes then went on to write that she mourns the loss of Van Der Beek "with a heart holding the reality of his absence and deep gratitude for his imprint on it."
The actress concluded by addressing her late costar's wife,Kimberly Van Der Beek, and thesix kidsthey shared. "We are here for you always," she wrote. "And will always be there to shower you with love and compassion."
Van Der Beek had beendiagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancerin 2023 and announced the news the following year.
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In the series, Van Der Beek's Dawson was an aspiring filmmaker with his heart set on his own happily ever after with Joey Potter (Holmes). Dawson's other best friend, Pacey Whitter (Joshua Jackson), and Capeside newbie Jen Lindley (Michelle Williams) were integral parts of the ongoing storyline. In season 5,Busy Philippsalsojoined the series as Joey's college roommate, Audrey Liddell.Mary Beth Peil,John Wesley Shipp,Mary-Margaret Humes,Nina Repeta,Kerr SmithandMeredith Monroealso rounded out the cast.
Philipps, 46, was one of the first to share a tribute to her late costar, whom she called "one in a billion."
The actress shared throwback pictures of herself and Van Der Beek, seemingly from theirDawson'sdays, onInstagram. Alongside the photos, she wrote, "My heart is deeply hurting for all of us today…every person who knew James and loved him, anyone who loved his work or had the pleasure of meeting him, all of his dear friends and community that surrounded him as he battled this illness, especially his parents and brother and sister."
"But I am profoundly heartbroken for his incredible wife Kimberly and their six magical children," Philipps wrote, and urged fans to visitthe GoFundMe created to support them. "James Van Der Beek was one in a billion and he will be forever missed and i don't know what else to say."
"I am just so so sad," she continued. "He was my friend and i loved him and i'm so grateful for our friendship all these years.❤️."
Mary Margaret Humes, who played Van Der Beek's mom, Mrs. Leery, published a recent photo she took with Van Der Beek, alongside one taken many years ago, onInstagram.
"Rarely am I at a loss for words … today would be the exception," Humes wrote. "James, my gracious warrior, you fought a hard battle against all odds with such quiet strength and dignity. I will always love and admire you for that. Our last conversations … merely a few days ago … are forever sitting softly in my heart for safe keeping. To our extended Dawson's Creek family of friends … please be respectful of our silences at the moment as Beautiful Kimberly and family have asked for peaceful privacy for now."
Last year, theDawson'scastreunitedfor a one-night-only charity event on Sept. 22, 2025, in New York City. The live reading of the show's pilot episode benefitted F Cancer and Van Der Beek.
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Van Der Beekdropped outof appearing at the benefit one day before, citing health concerns. He did, however, appear ina pre-recorded videomessage that was projected onscreen. "I want to stand on that stage and thank every single person in the theater for being here tonight," he said in the clip. "From the cast to the crew to everybody who's doing anything and has been so generous, and especially every single last one of you – you are the best fans in the world."
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"Thank you for coming. It's just absolutely humbling just how much you did for this night, and I just want to say thank you. Thank you to every single person here," he said.
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