Katie Holmes Mourns ‘Dawson’s Creek’ Co-Star James Van Der Beek With Handwritten Letter
James Van Der Beek has died. The iconic actor’s death, after a two and a half year battle with colorectal cancer, was announced by his family on February 11. He was 48. While the star’s illness was well documented, his death still comes as a shock to Hollywood. In the wake of his passing, several friends and co-stars have penned emotional tributes. Katie Holmes, who starred alongside Van Der Beek in his breakout TV show, Dawson’s Creek, took to Instagram in the hours after his death to share a handwritten letter. The moving message left fans in tears.
Katie Holmes pays tribute to James Van Der Beek with a handwritten letter
Katie Holmes was one of the first people to speak out after James Van Der Beek’s death. In the hours after his passing was announced, Holmes took to Instagram to share a picture of a handwritten letter to her lost friend. In the note, Holmes described Van Der Beek as a hero, mentioning his bravery and integrity.
She also thanked her friend for “sharing space” with her, and for the time they spent together in the “land of make-believe.” She opened up about the impact Van Der Beek had on her life. To close out the tribute, she addressed his wife and children directly, insisting everyone was there for them.
Several other co-stars, including Busy Phillips, Kerr Smith, and Mary-Margaret Humes, have taken to social media to share fond memories from their time with Van Der Beek. There are no details on where or when Van Der Beek will be laid to rest.
The former co-stars had a lasting friendship
James Van Der Beek and Katie Holmes rose to fame together as two of the breakout stars of the teen drama Dawson’s Creek. The show was a defining series for The WB. Van Der Beek as the introspective Dawson Lerry, and Holmes as Joey Potter, Dawson’s childhood best friend and eventual love interest, drove much of the show’s early storyline. Their on-screen chemistry and complicated friends-to-lovers arc helped fuel its pop-culture impact.
Off-screen, Van Der Beek and Holmes, along with other key cast members, developed an enduring friendship. They remained close even years after the series ended. The cast of Dawson’s Creek last came together in September to raise money for Van Der Beek’s cancer journey. They took the stage for a live reading of the iconic show’s pilot episode. Van Der Beek was initially set to appear, but was too ill to travel.
Dawson’s Creek ran for six seasons, from 1998 until 2003. Following the end of the series, he went on to star in several movies. He even played himself in the ill-fated, but cult classic TV series, Don’t Trust The B-—— in Apartment 23. He appeared in Sidelined 2: Intercepted for Tubi in 2025. It was his last credited role.
