Michelle Williams paid an emotional tribute to her late “Dawson’s Creek” co-star James Van Der Beek following her win at the Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday, reflecting on his recent death after a long battle with cancer.
Williams, 45, took home the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series for her role in Dying for Sex. After accepting the honor, she spoke with Entertainment Tonight about Van Der Beek and the impact of his passing.
When asked whether she was thinking about him during her acceptance speech, Williams responded somberly, “I’m thinking about him and I’m thinking about his family constantly.”
She continued, “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. I just really want to say thank you to each and every person who contributed to sustaining their lives and their children’s lives. It’s an incredibly meaningful thing to witness.”
Williams and Van Der Beek rose to fame together on the WB teen drama Dawson’s Creek, which aired for six seasons from 1998 to 2003. Van Der Beek portrayed aspiring filmmaker Dawson Leery, while Williams played Jen Lindley. The series became a defining show of the late 1990s and early 2000s, launching the careers of its young cast.
Van Der Beek died on Feb. 11 at age 48 after a years-long battle with Stage 3 colorectal cancer. He had publicly revealed his diagnosis in August 2023. According to his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, the actor “passed peacefully.”
“He met his final days with courage, faith and grace,” she wrote on Instagram at the time. “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.”
In the months prior to his death, Van Der Beek auctioned off personal “Dawson’s Creek” memorabilia to help cover mounting medical expenses, including the necklace his character gifted Joey Potter — portrayed by Katie Holmes — during the show’s prom storyline.
“To share a space with your imagination is sacred — breathing the same air in the land of make believe and trusting that each other’s hearts are safe in their expression,” she wrote. She went on to praise his “compassion, bravery, selflessness and strength,” and expressed support for his wife and their six children.
Following his passing, friends established a GoFundMe campaign to assist Van Der Beek’s family with expenses. As of publication, more than $2.7 million has been raised.
Van Der Beek was also known for his role in the 1999 film Varsity Blues, while Williams later earned critical acclaim for performances including her Academy Award–nominated role in Brokeback Mountain.
Williams’ tribute at the SAG Awards underscored the enduring bond between the “Dawson’s Creek” cast and highlighted the widespread support shown to Van Der Beek’s family in the wake of his death.
