Katie Holmes Says James Van Der Beek’s Death Is “A Lot to Process” in Handwritten Tribute

More members of the Dawson's Creek family are speaking out following the death of their beloved costar James Van Der Beek, who died on Wednesday, Feb. 11, at age 48.

Among them is Katie Holmes, who shared a deeply personal, handwritten tribute to the actor she worked alongside for six seasons.

Posting to Instagram, Holmes said the news of Van Der Beek’s death has been “a lot to process” and that she wrote her message with a “heavy heart.”

“I am so grateful to have shared in a piece of James’ journey. He is beloved,” she wrote. “Kimberly, we love you and will be here always for you and your beautiful children.”

Van Der Beek is survived by his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their six children.

Holmes’ emotional note began by addressing her late friend directly. On Dawson’s Creek, Van Der Beek famously played aspiring filmmaker Dawson Leery, while Holmes portrayed his longtime love, Joey Potter.

“James, thank you,” she wrote. “To share a space with your imagination is sacred — breathing the same air in the land of make believe and trusting that each other's hearts are safe in their expression.”

She remembered their early years on set as filled with laughter, deep conversations about life and even singing James Taylor songs together. Holmes described Van Der Beek as compassionate, brave, selfless and strong.

“An appreciation for life with the integrity that life is art — creating a beautiful marriage, six loving children — the journey of a hero,” she added.

Holmes ended her tribute by once again promising support to Kimberly and the couple’s children. “We are here for you always,” she wrote. “And will always be there to shower you with love and compassion.”

Van Der Beek had been diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in 2023. He publicly shared his diagnosis the following year and had been open about his health journey.

Other cast members also paid tribute.

Busy Philipps, who joined the show in season 5 as Audrey Liddell, called Van Der Beek “one in a billion.” She shared throwback photos from their Dawson’s Creek days and said her “heart is deeply hurting.”

“I am profoundly heartbroken for his incredible wife Kimberly and their six magical children,” she wrote, encouraging fans to support a GoFundMe created for the family. “James Van Der Beek was one in a billion and he will be forever missed.”

Mary-Margaret Humes, who played Dawson’s mother on the show, also posted a tribute. Sharing a recent photo alongside an older one from their time filming the series, she called Van Der Beek her “gracious warrior.”

“You fought a hard battle against all odds with such quiet strength and dignity,” she wrote, asking fans to respect the family’s request for privacy.

The loss feels especially heavy for the cast, who reunited just months ago. In September 2025, several stars from Dawson’s Creek came together in New York City for a one-night charity reading of the pilot episode to benefit F Cancer and support Van Der Beek.

Though he had to cancel his appearance at the last minute due to health concerns, he appeared in a pre-recorded video message thanking the cast, crew and fans.

“I want to stand on that stage and thank every single person in the theater for being here tonight,” he said at the time. “You are the best fans in the world.”

Now, as tributes continue to pour in, Holmes’ words echo what many are feeling: deep sadness over his absence, and deep gratitude for the mark he left on everyone who knew him.

For the cast and fans alike, Dawson may have been a fictional character — but the love for James Van Der Beek is very real.