Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, James Van Der Beek and Michelle Williams on 'Dawson's Creek,' Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment Katie Holmes has put pen to paper to share her feelings about her friend James Van Der Beek following his untimely passing. Van Der Beek, 48, died Wednesday morning following a battle with colorectal cancer. He initially announced in November 2024 that he had "been privately dealing with this diagnosis" since August 2023, when he was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer. Holmes and Van Der Beek famously co-starred together on Dawson's Creek, the hit WB drama that aired from 1998-2003, as beloved pair Joey and Dawson, respectively. Related Stories General News James Van Der Beek's GoFundMe Tops $1 Million in Under 24 Hours After His Death Movies Remembering James Van Der Beek's Final Onscreen Film Role as Noah Beck's Father in 'Sidelined 2' "James, thank you," she began in a touching, hand-written note that she shared on Instagram on Thursday morning. "To share a space with your imagination is scared - breathing the same air in the land of make believe and trusting that each other's hearts are safe in their expression... these are some of the memories, along with laughter, conversations about life, James Taylor songs - adventures of a unique youth." Holmes and Van Der Break broke out in Hollywood when starring on Dawson's. Holmes was 18 when she was cast; Van Der Beek was 20 when cast in the starring role of Dawson Leery. Dawson's Creek, 1998: James Van Der Beek as Dawson with Katie Holmes as Joey. Courtesy Everett Collection In her tribute, Holmes called out her friend's bravery, compassion, selflessness and strength. "An appreciation for life and the action taken to live life with the integrity that life is art - creating a beautiful marriage, six loving children - the journey of a hero," she wrote. She said she was "holding the reality of his absence and deep gratitude for his imprint on it," while expressing that she will always be there for his family, wife Kimberly and their six children. Van Der Beek's inner circle has quickly set up a GoFundMe account for his family, asking for financial aid after medical costs left them "out of funds." By Thursday morning, more than $1.25 million has been raised.
Along with her post (below), Holmes wrote, "I formed some words with a heavy heart. This is a lot to process. 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." View this post on Instagram THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up Sinead Keenan 'How to Get to Heaven from Belfast' Review: Lisa McGee's 'Derry Girls' Follow-Up Is a Chaotic, Wildly Entertaining Netflix Mystery Live Feed 'Rehab Addict' Canceled by HGTV After Host Nicole Curtis Uses Racial Slur During Filming shopping Where to Watch JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette's 'Love Story' and Buy the Book Behind the Series Obituaries Lory Patrick, 'Tales of Wells Fargo' Actress and Widow of Disney Star Dean Jones, Dies at 92 The Fien Print Critic's Appreciation: James Van Der Beek Will Be Remembered for 'Dawson's Creek,' but His Best Work Was Far Funnier and Odder Live Feed 'Cross' Creator and Stars Explain Epstein-Like Season 2 Opener: "This Season Is About Vigilantism" Sinead Keenan 'How to Get to Heaven from Belfast' Review: Lisa McGee's 'Derry Girls' Follow-Up Is a Chaotic, Wildly Entertaining Netflix Mystery Live Feed 'Rehab Addict' Canceled by HGTV After Host Nicole Curtis Uses Racial Slur During Filming shopping Where to Watch JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette's 'Love Story' and Buy the Book Behind the Series Obituaries Lory Patrick, 'Tales of Wells Fargo' Actress and Widow of Disney Star Dean Jones, Dies at 92 The Fien Print Critic's Appreciation: James Van Der Beek Will Be Remembered for 'Dawson's Creek,' but His Best Work Was Far Funnier and Odder Live Feed 'Cross' Creator and Stars Explain Epstein-Like Season 2 Opener: "This Season Is About Vigilantism"