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Katie Holmes is mourning the loss of her Dawson's Creek costar James Van Der Beek following his death at 48.
Holmes shared a tribute to the late actor, who passed away Wednesday (February 11) after a battle with colorectal cancer, on Instagram, explaining that she was "so grateful to have shared in a piece of James' journey." Adding that his death "is a lot to process," Holmes "formed some words with a heavy heart" and penned a heartfelt, handwritten letter addressed to her "beloved" costar.
"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..."
Holmes, who starred opposite of Van Der Beek on the hit teen drama series Dawson's Creek from 1998 to 2003, commended her longtime friend for his compassion and love of life, shown especially in the family he created with wife Kimberly Van Der Beek and their six children.
"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," she continued. "I mourn this loss with a heart holding the reality of his absence and deep gratitude for his imprint on it."
The Batman Begins actress concluded her note with a message to his family.
"To Kimberly and the children, we are here for you always," she said. "And will always be there to shower you with love and compassion."
Van Der Beek's family shared a statement on his Instagram on Wednesday confirming his death and mourning the loss of the beloved husband, father of six and friend to many.
"Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning," they wrote. "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."
Van Der Beek was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in August 2023 and shared his diagnosis publicly in November 2024. In his final public appearance on December 19, 2025, the Varsity Blues star shared a health update and noted that he was feeling "much, much better" than he had a few months prior.
"It's been a longer journey than I ever thought it would be. It's required more of me — more patience, more discipline, more strength than I knew I had," he said. "I knew I was strong — I didn't know I was this strong. But I feel good."