Katie Holmes has shared a handwritten letter to her late Dawson’s Creek co-star James Van Der Beek.
The actor, who played Joey in the era-defining teen drama series, posted a tribute on Instagram addressed to Van Der Beek, who died this week at the age of 48.
“I formed some words with a heavy heart,” she wrote alongside. “This is a lot to process. I am so grateful to have shared in a piece of James’ journey. He is beloved. Kimberly, we love you and will be here always for you and your beautiful children.”
In the letter, Holmes wrote: “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 … ”
Holmes went on to praise his “Bravery. Compassion. Selfnessness. 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.”
The pair starred in the Kevin Williamson-created series over six seasons from 1998 to 2003.
Van Der Beek shared a bowel cancer diagnosis in November 2024 and in 2025 announced that he was selling memorabilia to fund treatment. A statement from his family shared that he “met his final days with courage, faith and grace”.
“I mourn this loss with a heart holding the reality of his absence and deep gratitude for his imprint on it,” Holmes added.
Williamson also shared his thoughts on Instagram yesterday. “Several times today, from my heart, I’ve tried to form the words to express the beautiful brilliance of James and what his presence has meant to my life,” he wrote. “But I am truly at a loss for words. I will have to trust that one day those words will come.”
Mary Margaret Humes, who played Dawson’s mother, praised Van Der Beek on social media, writing: “You fought a hard battle against all odds with such quiet strength and dignity.” Busy Philipps, who played Audrey on the show, also wrote: “James Van Der Beek was one in a billion and he will be forever missed and I don’t know what else to say. I am just so so sad.”
Last year Van Der Beek was forced to pull out of a Dawson’s Creek reunion on stage in New York. The event was set to raise money for cancer charities and Van Der Beek himself. “I can’t believe I don’t get to hug my castmates,” he said in a video shared that night. “I wanted to stand on that stage and thank every single person in this theater for being here tonight.”
Since Van Der Beek’s death, his family has raised more than $1.3m on a GoFundMe to cover “essential living expenses, pay bills, and support the children’s education”.