Katie Holmes has penned an emotional tribute in the wake of her Dawson's Creek co-star James Van Der Beek‘s death at 48. The actress took to Instagram on February 12 to share a heartfelt post.
"I formed some words with a heavy heart,” she began in the caption. "This is a lot to process. I am so grateful to have shared in a piece of James’ journey. He is beloved. Kimberly [Van Der Beek], we love you and will be here always for you and your beautiful children."
The post featured a photograph of a handwritten note Kate had scribed in light of the devastating news. "James, Thank you. 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…" it read.
© InstagramKatie 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."
The actress then shared a touching message to James' wife, Kimberly, and his kids. "To Kimberly and the children, we are here for you always. And will always be there to shower you with love and compassion," she shared.
Katie starred alongside James in the drama series Dawson's Creek. The star portrayed Joey Potter, James’s character Dawson Leery's main love interest.
© GettyJames revealed in late 2024 that he had been diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer. At the time, he thanked his "incredible family,” for their support and insisted there was reason to be optimistic and that he was "feeling good." His wife Kimberly shared a statement on behalf of the family with the news of his passing on February 11.
"Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning," it read. "He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come.""For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend," it concluded, with fans and friends flooding the comments section with condolences for the family.
© Getty ImagesThe actor tied the knot with Kimberly in 2010, and they went on to welcome children Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, and Jeremiah.
James explained that he began experiencing bowel movement symptoms in the summer of 2023. "I thought maybe I needed to stop coffee," he recalled. "Or maybe not put cream in the coffee. But when I cut that out and it didn’t improve, I thought, 'All right, I better get this checked out.'"
The actor went for a colonoscopy and admitted he wasn't worried about the results but was soon faced with the shocking truth that he has cancer. "I felt really good coming out of anesthesia, that I'd finally done it," he explained. "Then the gastroenterologist said – in his most pleasant bedside manner – that it was cancer. I think I went into shock," he shared.
