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Joshua Jackson reflected on James Van Der Beek’s legacy, calling him a devoted husband, father and “good man”
Van Der Beek, who had six children, died at 48 after being diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer
Jackson partnered with AstraZeneca on a PSA encouraging cancer screenings and raising awareness about early detection to honor Van Der Beek
Nearly one month after James Van Der Beek’s tragic death, his Dawson’s Creek costar Joshua Jackson is speaking out for the first time on the loss.
Jackson, 47, appeared on the Today show on Tuesday, March 10 in an interview with Craig Melvin to discuss Van Der Beek’s death and how he’s honoring his late friend.
“I think it hits in a variety of different ways,” Jackson said of processing the loss. “For me as a father now, the enormity of that tragedy hits me in a very different way than just as a colleague so I think the processing is ongoing.”
Jackson is father to 5-year-old daughter Juno with ex Jodie Turner-Smith. Van Der Beek and his wife, Kimberly, had six children together, ages 15 to 4.
James Van Der Beek with wife Kimberly and their six kids.
Credit: James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Jackson added that he’s been thinking about his former costar’s life and legacy “quite a bit” over the past few weeks, saying of their Dawson’s Creek days, “It was formational for us. And I know both of us look back on that time with great fondness. But I will also say is I know that I’m just a footnote in what he actually accomplished in his life.”
Praising Van Der Beek, Jackson continued, “He became what we used to just call a ‘good man,’ a man of the kind of belief, the kind of faith that allowed him to face the impossible with grace, an unbelievable partner and husband, right? Just a real man who showed up for his family and a beautiful, kind, curious, interested, dedicated father. And so while on the one hand that’s beautiful and I think he did lead a very good life and he was a good man, it is also, the tragedy of that loss for his family is enormous.”
Katie Holmes, Josh Van Der Beek, Michelle Williams and Joshua Jackson on ‘Dawson’s Creek.’
Credit: Warner Bros./Getty
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Van Der Beek died at the age of 48 after being diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer.
To honor Van Der Beek’s memory, Jackson partnered with pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca for a PSA promoting cancer screening featuring Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty.
Joshua Jackson, James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams and Kerr Smith from ‘Dawson’s Creek’ in 2003.
Credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage
“I didn’t realize the number is 65% of people in our age cohort haven’t gone out and gotten tested,” he explained. “Haven’t started the conversation. That’s where the idea started. I also liked that they wanted to do something that was a little bit light because this is not a fun conversation. It’s kind of scary.”
He urged men to visit the getbodychecked.com website to view providers in the area and to assist with lingering questions.
“I think the testing and screening has gotten better, but it’s also true the earlier you find something, the better your possible outcomes are,” he explained. “And I don’t know about the guys that you know, but the guys that I know, guys don’t like to talk about this. We don’t like to go to the doctor. We don’t like to deal with this stuff. There are a lot of ways in your life, that stiff upper lip thing can be helpful, but in this, it’s not helpful at all.”
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