Joshua Jackson, best known for his role as Pacey Whitter on the iconic 1990s teen drama Dawson’s Creek, has spoken publicly for the first time about the death of his co-star James Van Der Beek, who passed away on February 11, 2026 at the age of 48 after a three-year battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer. Van Der Beek, who played the lead character Dawson Leery, is being remembered by Jackson as a ‘good man’ and ‘a real man who showed up for his family.’

Legacy of a ‘Good Man’

In an emotional appearance on the Today show on March 10, 2026, Jackson reflected on the impact of Van Der Beek’s death, saying, ‘I think it hits in a variety of different ways. For me as a father now, the enormity of that tragedy hits me in a very different way than just as a colleague.’

Van Der Beek, who was married to Kimberly Van Der Beek and had six children—Olivia, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, Joshua, and Jeremiah—died peacefully after a long illness. His wife shared the news on Instagram, expressing that James ‘met his final days with courage, faith, and grace.’

Jackson described Van Der Beek as ‘a man of the kind of belief, the kind of faith that allowed him to face the impossible with grace,’ and a ‘beautiful, kind, curious, interested, dedicated father.’ He added, ‘I know both of us look back on that time [on Dawson’s Creek] with great fondness, but I will also say that I know I’m really just a footnote in what he actually accomplished in his life.’

Cancer Awareness Campaign

In honor of Van Der Beek, Jackson has partnered with pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca to promote cancer screenings. Colorectal cancer is the third most common form of cancer and accounts for roughly 10 percent of all cancer cases. It is also the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.

‘I didn’t realize the number is 65% of people in our age cohort haven’t gone out and gotten tested. Haven’t started the conversation,’ Jackson said, highlighting the need for more discussion around early detection.

He noted that while screening and testing have improved, early detection is still key to saving lives. ‘Guys don’t like to talk about this,’ he said. ‘We don’t like to go to the doctor. We don’t like to deal with this stuff.’

According to Jackson, the campaign features the mascot of the Philadelphia Flyers, Gritty, to bring a lighter tone to an otherwise difficult conversation. ‘I also liked that they wanted to do something that was a little bit light because this is not a fun conversation. It’s kind of scary,’ he said.

Fond Memories of Dawson’s Creek

Dawson’s Creek, which ran for six seasons from 1998 to 2003, was a defining moment in the careers of both Jackson and Van Der Beek. The show followed the lives of four hyper-articulate teenagers—Van Der Beek’s Dawson, Jackson’s Pacey, Katie Holmes’ Joey, and Michelle Williams’ Jen—through their complex romantic and personal lives.

Van Der Beek’s death has sparked an outpouring of support from fans and fellow actors. A GoFundMe campaign set up in his honor has raised more than $2.7 million to support his family.

Kimberly Van Der Beek marked what would have been her husband’s 49th birthday on March 8, writing on social media, ‘I’m missing you tremendously.’

The legacy of James Van Der Beek continues to resonate with fans and colleagues alike, and Jackson’s tribute serves as both a personal remembrance and a call to action for greater awareness of health issues facing men today.