Michelle Williams has spoken publicly for the first time since the death of her Dawson’s Creek co-star James Van Der Beek. The actress addressed her late friend’s passing on Sunday night while accepting an Actor Award for her role in the TV miniseries Dying for Sex at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Michelle Williams on Van Der Beek has become a focal point as she shared her thoughts with Entertainment Tonight backstage.
Remembering Their Bond and Support for Van Der Beek’s Family
Williams, who portrayed Jen Lindley opposite Van Der Beek’s Dawson Leery on the popular teen drama, expressed her ongoing thoughts about the actor. She said,
“I’m thinking about him and I’m thinking about his family constantly,”
Michelle Williams told Entertainment Tonight. Following Van Der Beek’s death on February 11 at age 48, Williams thanked those who contributed to a GoFundMe campaign set up to support his widow and children.
She continued,
“I also just want to say, like, it’s been such an amazing thing as James’ friend and a friend of the family to see the response in the wake of his passing and I just really want to say thank you to each and every person who contributed to sustaining their life and their children’s lives,”
adding,
“It’s an incredibly meaningful thing to witness.”
The fundraiser surpassed its initial target of $1.5 million, reaching $2.75 million, highlighting the widespread support for the family during this difficult time.
Recent Events and Career Highlights Amid the Grieving Period
Sunday’s Actor Awards marked Williams’s first public appearance since Van Der Beek’s passing, where she won Best Actress in a Limited Series. Previously, Van Der Beek had been battling stage 3 colorectal cancer, diagnosed in 2023. Last September, Williams reunited with several Dawson’s Creek cast members including Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, Mary-Margaret Humes, Kerr Smith, and Busy Philipps for a live table read of the show’s pilot episode in New York City. The event aimed to raise funds for F Cancer, with Williams assisting in production alongside her husband, Thomas Kail. Although Van Der Beek was scheduled to attend, he was unable to due to illness, and Lin-Manuel Miranda stepped in for him.
The Impact and Next Steps for Those Left Behind
Michelle Williams’s remarks underscore the lasting impact of James Van Der Beek on those who knew him both professionally and personally. Her open expression of grief and gratitude highlights the strong network of support surrounding Van Der Beek’s family. As the community continues to rally through fundraisers and memorial events, the legacy of both the actor and his work lives on. The Dawson’s Creek reunion and charitable efforts also demonstrate how art and friendship intersect in moments of loss, helping sustain those affected through shared remembrance and generosity.
