Dawson Creek’s Joshua Jackson Seen for 1st Time Since James Van Der Beek Loss of life

Joshua Jackson was noticed for the primary time for the reason that dying of Dawson’s Creek costar James Van Der Beek.

Jackson, 47, was photographed leaving Gigi’s Baldi restaurant in Santa Monica, California, on Wednesday, February 11, hours after information broke that his former castmate Van Der Beek had died at age 48.

Jackson was seen carrying a cream cardigan, white tee, black pants and white sneakers with black stripes as he left the restaurant alone, in response to an image obtained by Us Weekly on Thursday, February 12.

The actor’s hair was informal with grey hairs seen round his face amongst his in any other case brunette locks. The Physician Odyssey star donned a beard and facial hair on his chin that additionally seemed to be grey and brown in coloration.

Jackson had a slight smile on his face because the cameras caught him strolling along with his pockets however general appeared somber in nature.

Jackson’s outing got here the identical day that Van Der Beek’s household confirmed his dying following a battle with stage III colorectal most cancers. (He introduced his analysis in November 2024.)

“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek handed peacefully this morning. He met his remaining days with braveness, religion, and charm,” his family members wrote by way of an Instagram assertion on Wednesday. “There may be a lot to share concerning his needs, love for humanity, and the sacredness of time. These days will come. For now we ask for peaceable privateness as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and good friend.”

The Travis County Medical Examiner’s Workplace in Texas confirmed that Van Der Beek was pronounced lifeless at 6:44 a.m. on Wednesday.

Jackson has but to publicly touch upon Van Der Beek’s dying, however the pair have been a part of one another’s lives for many years.

The duo portrayed finest buddies Pacey Witter and Dawson Leeryrespectively, on Dawson’s Creekwhich aired on The WB from 1998 to 2003. The core forged of the coming-of-age collection additionally included Katie Holmes as Joey Potter, whom each Pacey and Dawson fell in love with, and Michelle Williams as New York transplant Jen Lindley.

Whereas each Jackson and Van Der Beek went on to have large careers after leaving the fictional city of Capeside, Van Der Beek confirmed in March 2025 that he had reconnected along with his Dawson’s Creek costars amid his most cancers battle.

“I’ve gotten in contact with them not too long ago and it’s simply been so good,” he mentioned throughout an look on the “Whine Down” podcast. “It’s simply been so nice to speak to them and meet up with, like, who they’re now this a few years out and to have that shared expertise from again within the day. It’s simply so pretty each time I get to meet up with one in all them.”

The next month, Jackson gave an replace on Van Der Beek’s well being throughout an look on The Jennifer Hudson Present.

“The final I heard — it’s probably not my story to inform, however — that the most recent spherical of therapy was doing effectively,” Jackson shared in April 2025. “So he’s doing a little bit bit higher, however it’s clearly very, very scary.”

The Mighty Geese star added, “Yeah, ideas, prayers and simply something that may be executed for him and his household. He has a big, younger household.”

The Dawson’s Creek forged banded collectively in September 2025 for a one-night solely occasion in New York Metropolis to learn the present’s pilot and lift cash for the nonprofit charity F Most cancers, honoring Van Der Beek within the course of. (Jackson additionally reunited with Holmes in 2025 to movie a brand new film trilogy the place they play love pursuits.)

Jackson was one of many stars available to have fun the present’s legacy and assist Van Der Beek, who ended up lacking the present resulting from a illness. Van Der Beek, nonetheless, recorded a message for his costars and followers that was shared with the gang.

“I’ve been wanting ahead to this evening for months and months ever since my angel Michelle Williams mentioned she was placing it collectively. I can’t imagine I’m not there. I can’t imagine I don’t get to see my castmates, my stunning forged in particular person,” Van Der Beek mentioned on the time. “And I simply wish to stand on that stage and thank each single particular person within the theater for being right here tonight.”

Since his dying, Van Der Beek’s former castmates and followers have additionally supported his spouse, Kimberly Van Der Beekand their six youngsters by donating to a GoFundMe web page began by Kimberly’s buddies.

James has additionally been honored by way of social media tributes, together with a handwritten letter that Holmes, 47, shared by way of Instagram on Thursday.

“James, thanks. To share area along with your creativeness is sacred — respiratory the identical air within the land of make-believe and trusting that one another’s hearts are secure of their expression,” Holmes wrote of her late good friend and costar. “These are a number of the reminiscences, together with laughter, conversations about life, James Taylor songs — adventures of a singular youth …”

She continued: “Bravery. Compassion. Selflessness. Power. An appreciation for all times and the motion taken to stay life with the integrity that life is artwork — creating a lovely marriage, six loving youngsters — the journey of a hero.”

“I mourn this loss with a coronary heart holding the truth of his absence and deep gratitude for his imprint on it,” the actress, who grew up alongside each James and Jackson wrote. “To Kimberly and the kids, we’re right here for you at all times. And can at all times be there to bathe you with love and compassion.”