Joshua Jackson breaks silence on James Van Der Beek’s death after cancer battle

Joshua Jackson has spoken publicly for the first time about the death of his Dawson’s Creek co-star James Van Der Beek, sharing heartfelt reflections on the loss of his longtime friend following the actor’s battle with cancer.

Van Der Beek, best known for his role as Dawson Leery in the iconic teen drama that aired from 1998 to 2003, died on February 11, 2026, at the age of 48 after fighting stage three colorectal cancer.

Jackson, who portrayed Pacey Witter on the hit series, recently opened up about the tragedy and how it has affected him. 

According to Daily Mail, the actor described the loss as deeply painful, particularly when thinking about Van Der Beek’s wife Kimberly and their six children. 

He said the scale of the tragedy for the family was “enormous,” noting that his thoughts remain with them during this difficult time.

Moreover, the two actors formed a close bond while filming Dawson’s Creek, even living together during the early years of their careers. 

Although they drifted apart in later years as their lives moved in different directions, they reconnected after Van Der Beek revealed his cancer diagnosis.

Following the diagnosis, members of the show’s cast created a group chat to support their co-star and stay connected during his treatment. 

Furthermore, Van Der Beek also made a brief virtual appearance during a 2025 reunion fundraiser organized by former cast members.