Michelle Williams remembers late costar James Van Der Beek fondly. [Image Source: YIMG]
Michelle Williams spoke publicly for the first time since the passing of her Dawson’s Creek costar James Van Der Beek, who died two weeks ago at age 48. At the 2026 Actor Awards held on Sunday, Williams reflected on Van Der Beek’s death and the profound impact it has had on her, expressing her constant thoughts about him and his family. The late actor, who battled colorectal cancer, was a defining presence on the WB teen drama that aired from 1998 to 2003.
Williams Honors Van Der Beek’s Legacy and Family
Following her win for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series for her role in Dying for Sex, Williams shared with Entertainment Tonight,
“And I’m thinking about his family constantly.”
She further acknowledged Van Der Beek as not only a friend but “a friend of the family” while highlighting the overwhelming public support after his death. Referencing a GoFundMe campaign that has raised $2.75 million for Van Der Beek’s wife Kimberly and their six children, Williams expressed deep gratitude:
“I just really want to say thank you to each and every person who has contributed to sustaining their lives and their children’s lives. It’s an incredibly meaningful thing to witness.”
James Van Der Beek’s Passing and Family Statement
James Van Der Beek passed away peacefully on February 11, according to a statement released by his wife Kimberly on social media. The statement described his final days as being marked by “courage, faith, and grace,” and requested privacy as the family mourned:
Image of: Michelle Williams
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”
Though the precise cause has not been officially confirmed, Van Der Beek had publicly revealed his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis in late 2024 at the age of 46.
Van Der Beek’s Public Battle with Cancer
Van Der Beek had disclosed his health struggles openly with intention. In an interview with PEOPLE shortly after announcing his diagnosis, he said:
“That’s one of the reasons I want to talk about it and the reason I’m talking about it so openly. I’ve been dealing with this pretty much in secret for a while, and in the past, I’ve found it helpful and cathartic to share things publicly. And I’ve found a lot of support that way. But more than that, I really wanted to raise awareness.”
Challenges at the 2025 Dawson’s Creek Reunion
Van Der Beek was unable to attend the September 2025 Dawson’s Creek reunion charity event in person due to suffering from two stomach viruses. Instead, he appeared through a prerecorded video, in which his visibly thin condition worried fans about his health worsening. In December 2025, he reassured the public during an interview on the Today show with cohost Craig Melvin that his weight loss was not linked to cancer.
His wife Kimberly and their six children represented Van Der Beek at the reunion, where two of his daughters performed the series’ theme song, Paula Cole’s “I Don’t Want to Wait.” They shared the stage with former cast members including Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, Busy Philipps, Mary Beth Peil, John Wesley Shipp, Mary-Margaret Humes, Nina Repeta, Kerr Smith, and Meredith Monroe.
Reflecting on that evening, Van Der Beek recalled:
“As crushed as I was not being able to go to that Dawson’s Creek reunion, my family got to go. And I was Zooming in on that night, and they got a standing ovation just for taking their seats. And all that love that would have otherwise been directed at me, was directed at my family. It was just one of the most beautiful moments I’ve ever gotten to witness. I’m just so grateful to the fans for doing that.”
The Cast’s Bond Through the Years
The last time the full Dawson’s Creek cast gathered was for Entertainment Weekly’s 2018 cover story commemorating the show’s 20th anniversary. The main cast—Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, Michelle Williams, Busy Philipps, Kerr Smith, Meredith Monroe, and Mary Beth Peil—reunited and reminisced about how the coming-of-age drama influenced their lives and careers.
Van Der Beek shared memories of the show’s enormous popularity, saying:
“I was doing some appearance for The WB at the time, and it was pandemonium, like five times as many people as they thought would show up showed up. We ran out of headshots. Girls were getting pressed against barricades. They had to take me out in a police car to get me out of there. To this day, whenever I hear a gaggle of teenage girls cackling and giggling, I have the lamest form of PTSD ever.”
Series Creator Praises Van Der Beek’s Casting
Kevin Williamson, the creator of Dawson’s Creek, revealed that he had initially considered Joshua Jackson for the role of Dawson but was turned down by the network. When he eventually met Van Der Beek, Williamson immediately recognized the actor’s suitability, noting,
“He looked the part, he acted the part, he talked the part. And he was so intelligent, he was so smart. He didn’t look like a nerd but he was a nerd inside.”
Official Tribute from Dawson’s Creek Account
In the days following Van Der Beek’s death, the official Dawson’s Creek social media account honored his legacy by posting a vintage photograph of the actor and stating,
“His iconic portrayal of Dawson Leery helped define a generation of television for fans and continues to resonate with audiences today. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
Impact of Van Der Beek’s Life and Loss
James Van Der Beek’s untimely passing evokes a poignant response from those who grew up watching him portray Dawson Leery, reflecting how deeply the show and his role shaped a generation. Michelle Williams’ heartfelt remarks underscore the broader impact of his life both professionally and personally. The overwhelming public support for his widow Kimberly and their children signals the lasting solidarity of the Dawson’s Creek family and its audience. As the family mourns, the outpouring of love and tribute points to Van Der Beek’s enduring legacy in television history and the personal connections he forged throughout his career.
Michelle Williams says she's thinking about her ‘Dawson’s Creek’ co-star James Van Der Beek and his family “constantly” since his passing in February. #ActorAwardspic.twitter.com/UeSUAWTzvD
