Katie Holmes is mourning the death of her Dawson’s Creek costar James Van Der Beek, sharing a heartfelt tribute after the actor passed away at age 48 following a battle with cancer.

Holmes posted a handwritten note to Instagram on Feb. 12, one day after Van Der Beek’s family confirmed his death. In the emotional message, Holmes reflected on the years they spent working together on the beloved teen drama and described the experience of acting alongside him as something rare and deeply meaningful. She wrote that sharing creative space with Van Der Beek felt “sacred,” recalling memories of laughter, conversations about life, music, and the adventures of their youth during the show’s early years.

Holmes praised Van Der Beek for the qualities she said defined him both on and off screen, including compassion, courage, strength, and selflessness. She also acknowledged the personal life he built beyond Hollywood, noting the love he poured into his family, his marriage, and his six children. Holmes described his life as “the journey of a hero,” adding that she was grieving his absence while also feeling grateful for the impact he left behind.

In her caption, Holmes admitted she was still processing the loss, writing that it was “a lot to process” and emphasizing how thankful she was to have shared part of Van Der Beek’s journey. She ended by calling him “beloved” and offered support to his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, saying she and others would always be there for her and their children.

Van Der Beek’s family confirmed his passing in a statement posted to his Instagram on Feb. 11. They said he died peacefully after facing his final days with “courage, faith, and grace.” While noting there would be more shared later about his wishes and his values, the family asked for privacy as they mourned the loss of their husband, father, son, brother, and friend.

Van Der Beek had publicly revealed in 2024 that he was battling stage 3 colorectal cancer, a disclosure that led to an outpouring of support from fans and former castmates.

Best known for portraying Dawson Leery, Van Der Beek starred alongside Holmes, Joshua Jackson, and Michelle Williams in Dawson’s Creek throughout its six-season run from 1998 to 2003. The series became a cultural touchstone, launching the cast into fame and creating lasting bonds between its stars.

During his illness, the Dawson’s Creek cast rallied around him. In September, many of the show’s alumni reunited in New York City for a live cast reunion charity event that included a staged reading of the pilot episode. Van Der Beek was unable to attend due to a stomach bug, and Lin-Manuel Miranda filled in for him during the reading. However, Van Der Beek still appeared through a video message, expressing how disappointed he was to miss seeing his castmates and thanking the audience for supporting the event.

After that reunion, Holmes had already posted a message of love and encouragement for her former castmates, writing that their bond remained strong. She told Van Der Beek directly that he wasn’t facing his health battle alone.

Van Der Beek responded warmly at the time, telling Holmes he loved her and thanking her for being herself — a final exchange now made even more poignant in the wake of his death.