Joshua Jackson Says James Van Der Beek’s Death Hits Different As a Father

Following the passing of James Van Der Beek, his Dawson’s Creek costar, Joshua Jackson, spoke about their friendship on The Today Show. He explained that his grief was particularly strong because he was thinking about Van Der Beek as a father himself. Jackson, who has a 5-year-old daughter, noted that Van Der Beek had six children, and that this made the loss feel especially profound. He said, “It affects you in many ways, and for me, as a father, the tragedy really hits differently than if I were just thinking about him as a coworker. It’s something I’m still processing.”

Joshua Jackson and James Van Der Beek became famous while co-starring on Dawson’s Creek for six seasons. Jackson felt that Van Der Beek prioritized fatherhood, making their time working together feel secondary. He described their experience as a formative one, saying they both fondly remember that period. However, Jackson emphasized that his own accomplishments paled in comparison to Van Der Beek’s dedication to his family. He went on to praise Van Der Beek’s character, calling him a truly good man with unwavering faith, a devoted husband, and an incredibly dedicated father. While acknowledging Van Der Beek lived a fulfilling life, Jackson expressed the immense tragedy of the loss for his family.

Joshua Jackson isn’t the only star from Dawson’s Creek who has been remembering James Van Der Beek. During the recent Actor Awards on March 1st, Michelle Williams shared that she’s been constantly thinking of him and his family. Katie Holmes also penned a heartfelt, handwritten tribute, praising his family and fondly recalling memories of laughter, conversations, and James Taylor music from their younger days. She highlighted his bravery, compassion, selflessness, and strength, as well as his dedication to family and living a meaningful life. Following his death, Van Der Beek’s family created a GoFundMe to help with medical bills, which raised over $2.7 million.

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2026-03-11 01:54