Dawson Creek’s Joshua Jackson seen for the first time since the death of James Van Der Beek

Joshua Jackson was detected for the first time since the death of Dawson’s Creek to cost James Van Der Beek.

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

Jackson was seen wearing a cream cardigan, white T-shirt, black pants and white sneakers with black stripes as he left the restaurant alone, according to an image obtained by Us Weekly on Thursday, February 12.

The actor’s hair was casual with gray hair visible around his face amongst his brunette locks. The Doctor Odyssey The star sported a beard and facial hair on his chin that also appeared to be gray and brown.

Jackson had a slight smile on his face as cameras caught him walking with his wallet, but overall he looked somber.

Jackson’s departure came on the same day as Van Der Beek’s family confirmed his death after a battle with stage III colorectal cancer. (He announced his diagnosis in November 2024).

“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed away peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith and grace,” his loved ones wrote via a statement on Instagram on Wednesday. “There is much to share about his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we mourn our beloved husband, father, son, brother and friend.”

The Travis County Coroner’s Office in Texas confirmed that Van Der Beek was pronounced dead at 6:44 a.m. Wednesday.

Jackson has yet to publicly comment on Van Der Beek’s death, but the pair have been part of each other’s lives for decades.

Related: Everything the ‘Dawson’s Creek’ cast had to say about the reunion

Dawson’s Creek ended in 2003 and for more than two decades, fans wanted a reunion, but the cast had mixed feelings. OG stars James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson and Michelle Williams hinted at the possibility for years, but it wasn’t until August 2025 that the cast announced that an official (…)

The duo portrayed best friends Pacey Witter and Dawson Leeryrespectively, in Dawson’s Creekwhich aired on The WB from 1998 to 2003. The main cast of the coming-of-age series also included Katie Holmes like Joey Potter, who Pacey and Dawson fell in love with, and Michelle Williams like NYC transplant Jen Lindley.

Although both Jackson and Van Der Beek had great careers after leaving the fictional town of Capeside, Van Der Beek confirmed in March 2025 that he had reconnected with his Dawson’s Creek co-stars in the midst of their battle with cancer.

“I’ve been in touch with them recently and it’s been really nice,” he said during an appearance on the “Whine Down” podcast. “It’s been great talking to them and catching up with who they are now over the years and having that shared experience back in the day. It’s so lovely every time I catch up with one of them.”

Related: Katie Holmes opens up about former ‘Dawson’s Creek’ stars after reunion

There’s nothing better than the “eternal bond” Katie Holmes has with her former Dawson’s Creek co-stars. “I will never find the words for what these three beautiful humans mean to me. For our shared journey,” Holmes, 46, captioned a video via Instagram on Tuesday, September 23, referring to James Van Der Beek, Joshua Jackson and (…)

The following month, Jackson gave an update on Van Der Beek’s health during an appearance The Jennifer Hudson Show.

“The last I heard, it’s not really my story to tell, but the last round of treatment was going well,” Jackson shared in April 2025. “So he’s doing a little bit better, but obviously it’s very scary.”

The Mighty ducks star added: “Yes, thoughts, prayers and anything that can be done for him and his family. He has a large and young family.”

The Dawson’s Creek distribution they joined in September 2025 for a one-night-only event in New York City to read the show’s pilot and raise money for the nonprofit charity F Cancer, honoring Van Der Beek in the process. (Jackson also reunited with Holmes in 2025 to film a new trilogy of movies where they play love interests.)

Jackson was among the stars in attendance to celebrate the show’s legacy and support Van Der Beek, who ended up missing the show due to illness. Van Der Beek, however, recorded a message for his co-stars and fans that was shared with the crowd.

“I’ve been waiting months and months for this night since my angel Michelle Williams said she was preparing it. I can’t believe I’m not there. I can’t believe I can’t see my cast mates, my beautiful cast in person,” Van Der Beek said at the time. “And I just want to stand on stage and thank all the people in the theater for being here tonight.”

Since his death, that of Van Der Beek former castmates and fans have also supported his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beekand his six children making a donation to a GoFundMe page started by Kimberly’s friends.

James has also been honored through tributes on social media, including a handwritten letter which Holmes, 47, shared via Instagram on Thursday.

“James, thank you. Sharing space with your imagination is sacred: breathing the same air in the land of imagination and trusting that each other’s hearts are safe in their expression,” Holmes wrote of her late friend and co-star. “These are some of the memories, along with laughter, conversations about life, James Taylor songs, adventures of a unique youth…”

He continued: “Courage. Compassion. Selflessness. Strength. Gratitude for life and the action taken to live life with the integrity that life is art: creating a beautiful marriage, six loving children, a hero’s journey.”

“I mourn this loss with a heart that endures the reality of his absence and a deep gratitude for his imprint,” wrote the actress, who grew up with James and Jackson. “To Kimberly and the kids, we are here for you always. And we will always be there to give you love and compassion.”