{"id":287839,"date":"2026-02-12T16:54:08","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T16:54:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/287839\/"},"modified":"2026-02-12T16:54:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T16:54:08","slug":"katie-holmes-tribute-to-dawsons-creek-co-star","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/287839\/","title":{"rendered":"Katie Holmes Tribute to Dawson’s Creek Co-Star"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tKatie Holmes<\/a> has put pen to paper to share her feelings about her friend James Van Der Beek<\/a> following his untimely passing.<\/p>\n

\n\tVan Der Beek, 48, died<\/a>\u00a0Wednesday morning\u00a0following a battle with colorectal cancer<\/a>. He initially\u00a0announced<\/a>\u00a0in November 2024 that he had \u201cbeen privately dealing with this diagnosis\u201d since August 2023, when he was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer.<\/p>\n

\n\tHolmes and Van Der Beek famously co-starred together on Dawson\u2019s Creek, the hit WB drama that aired from 1998-2003, as beloved pair Joey and Dawson<\/a>, respectively.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cJames, thank you,\u201d she began in a touching, hand-written note that she shared on Instagram<\/a> on Thursday morning. \u201cTo share a space with your imagination is scared \u2014 breathing the same air in the land of make believe and trusting that each other\u2019s hearts are safe in their expression\u2026 these are some of the memories, along with laughter, conversations about life, James Taylor songs \u2014 adventures of a unique youth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tHolmes and Van Der Break broke out in Hollywood when starring on Dawson\u2019s. Holmes was 18 when she was cast; Van Der Beek was 20 when cast in the starring role of Dawson Leery.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tDawson\u2019s Creek, 1998: James Van Der Beek as Dawson with Katie Holmes as Joey.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy Everett Collection<\/p>\n

\n\tIn her tribute<\/a>, Holmes called out her friend\u2019s bravery, compassion, selflessness and strength. \u201cAn appreciation for life and the action taken to live life with the integrity that life is art \u2014 creating a beautiful marriage, six loving children \u2014 the journey of a hero,\u201d she wrote.<\/p>\n

\n\tShe said she was \u201cholding the reality of his absence and deep gratitude for his imprint on it,\u201d while expressing that she will always be there for his family, wife Kimberly and their six children.<\/p>\n

\n\tVan Der Beek\u2019s inner circle has quickly set up a\u00a0GoFundMe account<\/a>\u00a0for his family, asking for financial aid after medical costs left them \u201cout of funds.\u201d By Thursday morning<\/a>, more than $1.25 million\u00a0has been raised.<\/p>\n

Along with her post (below), Holmes wrote, \u201cI formed some words with a heavy heart. This is a lot to process. I am so grateful to have shared in a piece of James\u2019 journey. He is beloved. Kimberly, we love you and will be here always for you and your beautiful children.\u201d<\/p>\n