Katie Holmes breaks silence on Dawson's Creek co-star James Van Der Beek's death with heartfelt tribute

Katie Holmes has issued a sweet tribute to her Dawson's Creek co-star James Van Der Beek with a handwritten letter that she shared on social media.

Van Der Beek’s family announced on February 11 that the actor had died at the age of just 48.

The family statement read: “Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. 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.”

While the cause of death was not explained in the family’s tribute post, the actor did reveal in 2024 that he had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer and had been dealing with it privately since 2023.

At the time he told NBC6: "It's been the wildest, hardest journey I've ever had in this lifetime. It's required more patience, more discipline, more strength than I knew I had, quite frankly. But there's also been a lot of beauty in it."

Van Der Beek was most famously known for his leading role in the hit teenage coming-of-age TV show Dawson’s Creek.

Katie Holmes, who also featured in the show and played his character’s love interest, has now issued a sweet tribute to the late star.

Holmes shared a photo of a letter she had written for Van Der Beek after hearing the news of his passing.

Captioning the letter on Instagram, she stated: "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. Kimberly, we love you and will be here always for you and your beautiful children."

The letter itself read: “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...

“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.

“To Kimberly and the children, we are here for you always. And will always be there to shower you with love and compassion.”