Joshua Jackson has spoken publicly about the death of his former Dawson’s Creek co-star James Van Der Beek, describing the loss as deeply personal.
In an interview with The Today Show, Jackson reflected on his friendship with Van Der Beek and the impact the actor’s death has had on him.
“It hits you in so many different ways,” Jackson said. “As a father now, the magnitude of this tragedy affects me on a much deeper level than just as a former co-star. It’s a process that I’m still working through.”
Jackson, 47, shares a five-year-old daughter, Juno, with his ex-wife Jodie Turner-Smith. He said becoming a parent has changed how he views the loss, particularly when thinking about Van Der Beek’s family.
Van Der Beek died last month at the age of 48 after battling stage 3 colorectal cancer. He is survived by his wife, Kimberly Brook, and their six children.
Jackson spoke warmly about his longtime friend, praising both his character and his dedication as a father.
“He embodied what we used to simply call a good man,” Jackson said. “Someone with the kind of faith and conviction that allowed him to face the unthinkable with grace. He was an incredible partner and husband.”
He added that Van Der Beek’s devotion to his children stood out to those who knew him.
“James was the epitome of a man who showed up for his family,” Jackson said, describing him as kind, curious, and deeply engaged in his role as a father.
The two actors rose to fame together on the hit 1990s drama Dawson’s Creek, where Van Der Beek played Dawson Leery and Jackson portrayed Pacey Witter.
Jackson acknowledged that while the show remains a defining part of their careers, it represents only a small part of Van Der Beek’s life and legacy.
“That period was formative for both of us, and we look back on it fondly,” he said. “But I also recognize that I’m just a small part of James’s greater life story.”
