Katie Holmes has shared a deeply personal, handwritten letter mourning the death of her Dawson’s Creek co‑star James Van Der Beek, who died Wednesday at age 48 from colorectal cancer. The actor, beloved for his role as Dawson Leery in the late‑’90s hit series, was remembered by Holmes for his imagination, kindness and the profound impact he had on those around him.
Posting the note on Instagram, Holmes began simply: “James.” What followed was a heartfelt reflection on their years working together and the creative bond they shared. She described acting alongside him as “sacred,” recalling moments filled with laughter, long conversations about life, and James Taylor songs that became part of their youth on set.
Holmes praised Van Der Beek’s courage and compassion, calling him a man who lived with integrity and treated life as an art form. She highlighted the love he poured into his family his wife and six children describing his journey as “the journey of a hero.”
She wrote that she is grieving “with a heart holding the reality of his absence and deep gratitude for his imprint on it,” adding that she will always be there for his family.
Van Der Beek’s death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans and colleagues who grew up with Dawson’s Creek and the actor who helped define a generation of television.
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