We may only be three months into 2026, but the year has already dealt some pretty devastating blows when it comes to losing Hollywood icons. One of the most heartbreaking deaths so far this year is James Van Der Beek, who passed away in February at 48, following a battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer, just weeks before his 49th birthday. Plenty of fans and celebrities alike have paid tribute to Van Der Beek, and his Dawson’s Creek co-star Joshua Jackson is the latest one.Van Der Beek and Jackson starred on the hit WB drama as best friends and occasional rivals Dawson Leery and Pacey Witter, respectively, for all six seasons. Dawson’s Creek is arguably one of the best teen dramas ever and has shaped not only its fans but also its stars. It’s been nearly a month since the series lost one of its own, and Jackson reflected on losing his co-star and friend while appearing on Today:
I think it hits in a variety of different ways, so 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.
