Katie​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Holmes Pays Tribute to Her “Beloved” Costar James Van Der Beek After His ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌Death

Katie​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Holmes Pays Tribute To “Beloved” Dawson’s Creek Costar James Van Der Beek

After the death of her Dawson po’ Creek costar James Van Der Beek on February 11, Katie Holmes expressed her feelings and memories of the departed through a touching tribute.
On February 12, Holmes posted a picture of a handwritten note on Instagram, conveying her thankfulness to James and reminiscing about their times, “Thank you, James. Sharing space with your imagination is like sacred—breathing the same air in the land of make believe and feeling that our hearts are safe in the expression of each other. These are some of the memories, besides laughter, talks about life, James Taylor songs—youthful unique adventures.”
She lauded Van Der Beek for being “compassionate, brave, selfless, and strong,” and referred to his continual zest for life, which he saw as “art—making a beautiful marriage, six wonderful children, the path of a hero.”
Holmes wrapped up her note by saying, “I grieve this loss with a heart that is accepting the fact of his absence and at the same time full of gratitude for his impression on ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌it.”

Katie​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Holmes Shares Heartfelt Tribute Following James Van Der Beek’s Passing and Family’s Cancer Battle Announcement

Katie Holmes was so moved that she shared a handwritten note expressing her feelings on Instagram. She said she wrote “with a heavy heart” after her Dawson’s Creek co-star James Van Der Beek’s death. “This is really hard for me,” she captioned the post. “I am so lucky that I got to be part of James’ life for a while. He is so loved.”
She also sent her love and prayers to his wife Kimberly and their kids saying, “Kimberly, we love you and we will always be here for you and your beautiful children.”
James Van Der Beek’s family disclosed that he died on February 11 following a long battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer in a statement. “Our dearly loved James David Van Der Beek peacefully passed away this morning. He faced his last days with courage, faith, and grace. There is much to reveal about his wishes, his love for people, and the sanctity of time. Those days shall come. Meanwhile, we request you a peaceful privacy as we mourn our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend,” their statement said.
James and Kimberly shared six children; Olivia (15), Joshua (13), Annabel (12), Emilia (9), Gwendolyn (7), and Jeremiah (4). He was the main character, Dawson Leery, in the teen drama alongside Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, and Michelle Williams which aired from 1998 to 2003.
In 2024, when James made his struggle with cancer public, he was deeply loved and supported by his Dawson’s Creek family, who were a source of strength for him during his brave ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌fight.

Dawson’s​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Creek Cast Comes Together Once More to Cheer Up James Van Der Beek in His Last Days

Last September, the cast of Dawson’s Creek reunited in a live event in New York City. The charity reading of the pilot episode by Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, Michelle Williams as well as alums like Busy Philipps, Mary-Margaret Humes, and John Wesley Shipp was the occasion for the first time in years. Even though Lin-Manuel Miranda read James Van Der Beek’s part at the event since the actor was away due to a stomach bug, his family members attended the reunion on the actor’s behalf.
Van Der Beek emotionally shared a video with the viewers telling how he deeply missed the reunion. “I can’t believe I’m not there,” he expressed. “I simply do not know my way without my beautiful cast, without my cast mates in person. I wanted to take this opportunity and thank each and every one of you in this theater for being here tonight.”
After the night packed with emotions, Katie Holmes took to Instagram to honor her “beautiful” co-stars, especially pointing her message to Van Der Beek while he was fighting his health. “For our shared journey. For our everlasting bond. James, Josh, Michelle… since April 1997—I love you. James, you are strong. We are here for you,” she penned. Van Der Beek was equally affectionate in his reply, “Love you! Thank you for being ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌you.”