Believe it or not, friendship almost ruined Katie Holmes shot at stardom. Back in 1997, Dawson's Creek producer Kevin Williamson had asked the 20-year-old darling to fly out to Hollywood to audition for the series. Most aspiring actresses would leap at this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but not Katie--the audition was on the same weekend as the opening night for her high-school play!

Katie, who had the starring role in the play, knew her school friends needed her and this loyal pal wasn't about to turn her back on them. "My dad just said, 'Katie, these are your friends, no matter what happens,"' she's remembered. As it turned out, Katie's devotion to her buds totally impressed Kevin, who has said that after that, "I wanted her (on the show) even more."

Now that she's on the show, Katie still puts friendship first. She's said the most important thing in her life right now isn't being famous or snagging film roles like the one she won in this spring's Go!, it's "people in my life with whom I have incredible friendships." That's why Katie faithfully calls and writes to her circle of friends in Toledo, Ohio. It's also why she sets aside time to bond with the new buds she's making on the set of Dawson's Creek by hosting cozy dinner parties for them. At one of this outgoing gal's most recent get-togethers, co-star Meredith Monroe has fondly recalled, "katie made sugar cookies and frosted them for us and we had lasagna and salad. I had a lot of fun!" Sounds like Katie has made another friend!