Key Points
- Jackson says grief cuts deeper seeing Van Der Beek as a devoted dad — family loss makes celebrity mourning personal
- He lauded James’s post-Dawson career and family-first image, reframing his legacy beyond teen heartthrob
- Van Der Beek’s public cancer fight — and reported financial strain — could reignite screening conversations in Hollywood
Why This Matters
Jackson's heartfelt reflections remind fans that Dawson's Creek shaped a generation, turning TV history into personal grief; the tribute honors Van Der Beek's family-first legacy and renews focus on cancer awareness and early screening.
JOSHUA Jackson is opening up about the loss of his former Dawson’s Creek co-star James Van Der Beek, nearly a month after the actor’s death at age 48.
During an appearance on TODAY, Jackson reflected on the tragedy and said the loss feels especially profound because Van Der Beek was not only a colleague, but also a devoted father.
“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,” he said.
Jackson shared that processing the loss is still ongoing and spoke warmly about their time together on the beloved teen drama, according to TMZ.
He also remembered Van Der Beek with fondness, praising the late actor for everything he accomplished beyond Dawson’s Creek, including his work as an actor, husband, and father.
Van Der Beek died on February 11 from complications related to colorectal cancer. He had publicly revealed his diagnosis in April 2024 and later used his platform to encourage awareness of symptoms and the importance of early screening.
He is survived by his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their six children.
