Holmes, 47, said the news of his death had been “a lot to process” but she was “grateful to have shared in a piece of his journey”.<\/p>\n
In a handwritten tribute shared in a photo on Instagram, she said they had shared “laughter”, “conversations about life”, and “adventures of a unique youth”.<\/p>\n
Instagram<\/p>\n
This content is provided by Instagram, which may be using cookies and other technologies. Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Instagram cookies. Enable Cookies<\/a> Holmes, who went on to star in films and shows including Batman Begins and Ray Donovan, continued: “Bravery. Compassion. Selflessness. Strength. An appreciation for life and the action taken to live life with the integrity that life is art – creating a beautiful marriage, six loving children – the journey of a hero.”<\/p>\n The actress included a message to Van Der Beek’s wife, Kimberly, and his children, saying: “We are here for you always. And will always be there to shower you with love and compassion.”<\/p>\n Dawson’s Creek, which ran from 1998 to 2003, followed a group of high school friends and the highs and lows of their friendships and romances.<\/p>\n ‘One in a billion’<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n \n Dawson’s Creek star dies aged 48\n <\/p>\n Alongside Van Der Beek and Holmes, Michelle Williams and Joshua Jackson made up the core cast of four, playing Jen Lindley and Pacey Witter, respectively.<\/p>\n The show was hugely popular, turning the young actors into household names in the US and UK.<\/p>\n Busy Philipps, who starred in a later series of the show, also paid tribute to Van Der Beek, describing him as “one in a billion” and saying: “My heart is deeply hurting for all of us today.”<\/p>\n She also shared details of a GoFundMe page set up to support the actor’s family, which says his medical care “and the extended fight against cancer have left the family out of funds”. More than $1m has already been donated.<\/p>\n Instagram<\/p>\n This content is provided by Instagram, which may be using cookies and other technologies. Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Instagram cookies. Enable Cookies<\/a> Mary-Margaret Humes, who played Dawson’s mother Gail, shared pictures of the pair together and wrote: “Rarely am I at a loss for words \u2026 today would be the exception. James, my gracious warrior, you fought a hard battle against all odds with such quiet strength and dignity. I will always love and admire you for that.”<\/p>\n She said they had spoken just a few days before his death and that those conversations are “forever sitting softly in my heart for safe keeping”.<\/p>\n Read more from Sky News:
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