Joshua Jackson spoke for the time about the death of his Dawson's Creek co-star, James Van Der Beek. During a Tuesday, March 10 appearance on TODAY, the actor opened up about how James' passing impacted him.
After Craig Melvin asked the Doctor Odyssey actor if he had processed James' death, Joshua said: "I think it hits in a variety of different ways."
He continued: "For me as a father now, I think the enormity of that tragedy for his family hits me in a very different way than just as a colleague. So I think the processing is is ongoing."
© Getty ImagesJoshua and James shared an "amazing time" together
James passed away on February 11, 2026 after a three year battle with stage III colorectal cancer. He left behind his wife, Kimberly Brook, their six children, and many friends, including Joshua.
"[James] and I shared this very amazing time," the actor shared on TODAY. "It was [formative] for us. I know both of us look back on that time with great fondness, but I will also say that I know that I'm really just a footnote in what he actually accomplished in his life."
Joshua 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, just a real man who showed up for his family and a beautiful, kind, curious, interested, dedicated father."
© Getty ImagesJoshua shared the importance of cancer screenings
The Fringe actor appeared on TODAY not only to remember his friend, but to stress the importance of cancer screenings. Joshua partnered with the NHL and AstraZeneca as part of the pharmaceutical company's Get Body Checked Against Cancer campaign, which highlights the importance of getting screened for cancer.
"I'm at the age, right?" the 47-year-old said. "Like so many people, my family has been touched by cancer. Obviously, when James got his diagnosis, and now I'm thinking about a contemporary of mine going through something like this."
© InstagramJoshua added: "I didn't realize that 65% of people in our age cohort haven't gone out and gotten tested [for cancer.]" The actor went on, sharing that in his experience, many of his male friends don't have open and frank conversations about their health.
"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," he explained. "And I know a lot of ways in your life, like that stiff upper lip thing can be helpful, but in this it's not helpful at all."
© Getty ImagesJoshua is following in his friend's footsteps in becoming an advocate for cancer screening. Following James' diagnoses, he too was a fierce advocate, even raising money for the nonprofit F Cancer, and he was a paid spokesperson for Guardant Health, which offers a blood test to screen for colon cancer.
