Katie Holmes has broken her silence following the death of her Dawson's Creek co-star James Van Der Beek, who passed away at the age of 48. The actress shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram on February 12, expressing her grief and gratitude for having known him.
In her post, Holmes wrote: 'I 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’ journey. He is beloved.' She also addressed Van Der Beek's wife, Kimberly, offering support: 'Kimberly, we love you and will be here always for you and your beautiful children.'
The tribute included a photograph of a handwritten note, in which Holmes reflected on their time working together. 'To share space with your imagination is sacred – breathing the same air in the land of make believe and trusting that each others’ hearts are safe in their expression… These are some of the memories, along with laughter, conversations about life, James Taylor songs—adventures of a unique youth…'
Holmes 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. I mourn this loss with a heart holding the reality of his absence and deep gratitude for his imprint on it.'
Van Der Beek, who played Dawson Leery in the hit series Dawson's Creek, was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in late 2024. His wife Kimberly announced his passing on February 11, stating that he 'met his final days with courage, faith, and grace.' The couple married in 2010 and had six children together.
