Katie Holmes Honors Dawson’s Creek Costar James Van Der Beek After His Death at 48: He Is Beloved
Katie Holmes is mourning the loss of her longtime friend and Dawson’s Creek costar, James Van Der Beek.
The actor, best known for playing Dawson Leery on the beloved teen drama from 1998 to 2003, died on Wednesday, Feb. 11, at age 48 following a battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer. He was first diagnosed in 2023 and publicly shared the news the following year.
In the wake of his passing, Holmes, 47, posted a deeply personal, handwritten tribute to Instagram, honoring the man she shared six seasons and a defining chapter of her life with.
“To Share a Space With Your Imagination Is Sacred”
Holmes, who portrayed Joey Potter Dawson’s best friend and on-again, off-again love interest described her grief as “a lot to process,” writing that she shared her message with a “heavy heart.”
“James, thank you,” she began. “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.”
Her tribute reflected not just on their time filming in Capeside, but on the deep bond formed during their youth.
“These are some of the memories, along with laughter, conversations about life, James Taylor songs adventures of a unique youth,” she wrote.
Holmes praised Van Der Beek’s “compassion, bravery, selflessness and strength,” calling his life “the journey of a hero.”
She also honored what he built beyond Hollywood: “An appreciation for life with the integrity that life is art creating a beautiful marriage, six loving children.”
“He Is Beloved”
In her caption, Holmes made it clear how much he meant to her and so many others.
“I am so grateful to have shared in a piece of James’ journey. He is beloved,” she wrote. “Kimberly, we love you and will be here always for you and your beautiful children.”
Van Der Beek is survived by his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their six children.
Holmes concluded her tribute by acknowledging both her sorrow and gratitude.
“I mourn the loss of James with a heart holding the reality of his absence and deep gratitude for his imprint on it,” she wrote. “We are here for you always.”
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An Outpouring From the Dawson’s Creek Family
Holmes was not alone in honoring her late costar.
Busy Philipps, who joined the series in season 5 as Audrey Liddell, called Van Der Beek “one in a billion” in an emotional Instagram post.
“My heart is deeply hurting for all of us today… every person who knew James and loved him,” she wrote. “But I am profoundly heartbroken for his incredible wife Kimberly and their six magical children.”
Mary-Margaret Humes, who played Dawson’s mother, shared a recent photo alongside an older image from their early days on set.
“Rarely am I at a loss for words… today would be the exception,” she wrote. “James, my gracious warrior, you fought a hard battle against all odds with such quiet strength and dignity.”
She also respectfully asked fans to honor the family’s request for privacy during this time.
A Final Message to Fans
Last September, much of the Dawson’s Creek cast reunited for a one-night-only charity reading of the show’s pilot episode in New York City to benefit F Cancer and Van Der Beek himself.
Though he was unable to attend due to health concerns, he appeared in a pre-recorded video message that now feels especially poignant.
“I want to stand on that stage and thank every single person in the theater for being here tonight,” he said. “You are the best fans in the world.”
“Thank you… it’s absolutely humbling.”
Remembering Dawson Leery
For millions of fans, James Van Der Beek will always be Dawson the aspiring filmmaker chasing love and meaning in the small coastal town of Capeside. Alongside Holmes’ Joey, Joshua Jackson’s Pacey, and Michelle Williams’ Jen, he helped define a generation of teen television.
But to those who knew him personally, he was much more: a husband, a father of six, a fighter, and a friend.
As Holmes so simply and powerfully put it:
He is beloved.