RIP

Joshua Jackson reflects on the 'enormity' of losing James Van Der Beek

Jackson and Van Der Beek worked together on "Dawson's Creek"

MARCH 10, 2026 5:55 PM EDTMAR 10, 2026, 5:55 PM EDT

Joshua Jackson is opening up about the loss of James Van Der Beek. The actors were co-stars on the teen series "Dawson's Creek," playing each other's best friends, and opposite ends of a love triangle.

The cast of television's "Dawson's Creek" poses for a photo in 1997. From left to right are Katie Holmes, James Van Der Beek, Michelle Williams, and Joshua Jackson.

Jackson was featured on the TODAY show, discussing the loss of his friend. "I think it hits in a variety of different ways," he said. "For me as a father now, 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 ongoing."

He also opened up about his relationship with Van Der Beek, sharing how important it was for the two to spend so much time together in their youth.

Kerr Smith, Joshua Jackson, Michelle Williams, James Van Der Beek and Katie Holmes at a celebration for the 100th episode of "Dawson's Creek"

"He and I shared this very amazing time ... and it was formational for us," he said. "I know both of us look back on that time with great fondness, but I will also say that I know that I'm really just a footnote in what he actually accomplished in his life."

"He became what we used to just call a good man, a man of the kind of belief, the kind of faith that allowed him to face the impossible with grace, an unbelievable partner and husband, just a real man who showed up for his family and a beautiful, kind, curious, interested, dedicated father,” he concluded.

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Jackson also shared how special it was that he and his "Dawson's Creek" co-stars were able to reunite and help provide funds for Van Der Beek last year, at a special event hosted in New York. “We were there to be able to... help his family through his treatment,” he said.

“The purpose of it was beautiful, and I think for all of us, it’s easy to forget the impact that the show has because your experience of making the show is your experience, right? So for our little crew of people, that’s just something that we shared. But when you have 1,400 people sitting in a theater... you are reminded that it actually went out there into the world and had impact on other people," continued Jackson.

“For us to get together is a bit like a college reunion," he said. "To share that experience with the audience, but also to be able to witness his kids, witness the impact that he had on other people was really impactful,” he said.