Joshua Jackson was spotted for the first time since the death of Dawson's Creek costar James Van Der Beek. Jackson, 47, was photographed leaving Gigi's Baldi restaurant in Santa Monica, California, on Wednesday, February 11, hours after news broke that his former castmate Van Der Beek had died at age 48. Jackson was seen wearing a cream cardigan, white tee, black pants and white sneakers with black stripes as he left the restaurant alone, according to a picture obtained by Us Weekly on Thursday, February 12. The actor's hair was casual with gray hairs visible around his face among his otherwise brunette locks. The Doctor Odyssey star donned a beard and facial hair on his chin that also appeared to be gray and brown in color. 'Dawson's Creek' Cast Reacts to James Van Der Beek's Death at Age 48 Jackson had a slight smile on his face as the cameras caught him walking with his wallet but overall appeared somber in nature. Jackson's outing came the same day that Van Der Beek's family confirmed his death following a battle with stage III colorectal cancer. (He announced his diagnosis in November 2024.) The Hollywood Curtain / BACKGRID "Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace," his loved ones wrote via an Instagram statement on Wednesday. "There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity, and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend." The Travis County Medical Examiner's Office in Texas confirmed that Van Der Beek was pronounced dead at 6:44 a.m. on Wednesday. Jackson has yet to publicly comment on Van Der Beek's death, but the pair have been part of each other's lives for decades. Everything the 'Dawson's Creek' Cast Has Said About Reuniting The duo portrayed best friends Pacey Witter and Dawson Leery, respectively, on Dawson's Creek, which aired on The WB from 1998 to 2003. The core cast of the coming-of-age series also included Katie Holmes as Joey Potter, whom both Pacey and Dawson fell in love with, and Michelle Williams as New York transplant Jen Lindley. While both Jackson and Van Der Beek went on to have big careers after leaving the fictional town of Capeside, Van Der Beek confirmed in March 2025 that he had reconnected with his Dawson's Creek costars amid his cancer battle. "I've gotten in touch with them recently and it's just been so nice," he said during an appearance on the "Whine Down" podcast. "It's just been so great to talk to them and catch up with, like, who they are now this many years out and to have that shared experience from back in the day. It's just so lovely every time I get to catch up with one of them." Katie Holmes Gushes Over Former 'Dawson's Creek' Stars Following Reunion The following month, Jackson gave an update on Van Der Beek's health during an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show. "The last I heard - it's not really my story to tell, but - that the latest round of treatment was doing well," Jackson shared in April 2025. "So he's doing a little bit better, but it is obviously very, very scary." The Mighty Ducks star added, "Yeah, thoughts, prayers and just anything that can be done for him and his family. He has a large, young family." Joshua Jackson, James Van Der Beek, Stephen Colbert. Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images The Dawson's Creek cast banded together in September 2025 for a one-night only event in New York City to read the show's pilot and raise money for the nonprofit charity F Cancer, honoring Van Der Beek in the process. (Jackson also reunited with Holmes in 2025 to film a new movie trilogy where they play love interests.) Jackson was one of the stars on hand to celebrate the show's legacy and support Van Der Beek, who ended up missing the show due to a sickness. Van Der Beek, however, recorded a message for his costars and fans that was shared with the crowd. James Van Der Beek Appears at 'Dawson's Creek' Reunion Amid Cancer Battle "I have been looking forward to this night for months and months ever since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together. I can't believe I'm not there. I can't believe I don't get to see my castmates, my beautiful cast in person," Van Der Beek said at the time. "And I just want to stand on that stage and thank every single person in the theater for being here tonight." Since his death, Van Der Beek's former castmates and fans have also supported his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their six children by donating to a GoFundMe page started by Kimberly's friends. James has also been honored via social media tributes, including a handwritten letter that Holmes, 47, shared via Instagram on Thursday. Michelle Williams, James Van Der Beek, Joshua Jackson, Katie Holmes. Columbia/TriStar International Television "James, thank you. To share space with your imagination is sacred - breathing the same air in the land of make-believe a