Joshua Jackson has shared his first public comments about the death of his former Dawson’s Creek co-star James Van Der Beek reflecting on the loss during an appearance.

Speaking about the loss Jackson said the news affected him in several ways particularly now that he is a father himself.

“I think it hits in a variety of different ways,” Jackson said. “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.”

Jackson said their time working together was an important period in both of their lives.

“He and I shared this very amazing time … and it was formational for us,” Jackson said. “I know both of us look back on that time with great fondness.”

He also reflected on Van Der Beek’s character and dedication to his family.

“He became what we used to just call a good man,” Jackson said. “A man of the kind of belief, the kind of faith that allowed him to face the impossible with grace, an unbelievable partner and husband, just a real man who showed up for his family and a beautiful, kind, curious, interested, dedicated father.”

The actor said Van Der Beek’s diagnosis made the issue feel even more personal.

“I’m at the age, right? Like so many people, my family has been touched by cancer,” he said. “Obviously, when James got his diagnosis, and now I’m thinking about a contemporary of mine going through something like this.”

Jackson also stressed the importance of early detection noting that many people avoid medical checkups.

“Guys don’t like to talk about this. We don’t like to go to the doctor,” he said. “But in this case, that stiff upper lip approach is not helpful at all.”