A full-page handwritten letter posted on Instagram. This is how Katie Holmes decided to say goodbye to James Van Der Beek, who died on February 11 at the age of 48 from colorectal cancer. Holmes and Van Der Beek starred on the ’90s teen drama series Dawson’s Creek in their youth. Last September, Holmes attended a special reunion organized in New York by their Dawson’s Creek costar Michelle Williams to raise money for cancer research. Van Der Beek was unable to attend the reunion being held in his honor for health reasons. His wife, Kimberly, and their six children attended in his stead. Holmes addressed his wife and children in her handwritten letter, writing, “I formed some words with a heavy heart. There is a lot to process. I am so grateful to have shared in a piece of James’ journey. He is beloved. Kimberly, we love you and will be here always for you and your beautiful children.”
Addressed simply to “James,” Holmes’s handwritten letter thanked Van Der Beek first and foremost, saying, “To share space with your imagination is sacred.” She did not go into the details of their memories, but emphasized the word “laughter” and recalled “conversations about life, James Taylor songs—adventures of a unique youth.”
Although she wrote that her heart was “holding the reality of his absence,” the actor still wanted to emphasize her “deep gratitude” for the effect he had on her. And she promised Kimberly eternal support: “We are here for you always.”
Fellow Dawson’s Creek cast member Busy Philipps started a GoFundMe campaign to help Van Der Beek’s widow and their six children get back on their feet, especially after the exorbitant cost of treatment, which had already led Van Der Beek to sell some memorabilia from the set in order to meet the expenses. Many stars have already lent their support with messages of condolence, such as Sophia Bush (One Tree Hill), who called the news of the passing “so damn sad,” and Jennie Garth (Beverly Hills, 90210) and Leslie Bibb, who both responded with a broken heart emoji.
Alessandra De Tommasi
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