Michelle Williams breaks silence on former Dawson’s Creek co-star James Van Der Beek’s death

by

Michelle Williams publicly addressed the passing of James Van Der Beek for the first time on Sunday night at the 32nd Annual Actor Awards.

Joshua Williams, age 45, appeared with James Van Der Beek in the popular teen series Dawson’s Creek, which ran for six seasons from 1998 to 2003.

Van Der Beek died on February 11 at age 48 following a battle with colorectal cancer.

In a recent interview with ET, Williams shared that he’s been frequently thinking of the actor who passed away, as well as sending his constant support to the actor’s family.

As James’s friend and someone who knew his family well, it’s been wonderful to see the support everyone has shown since he passed away.

She then mentioned the GoFundMe created to help support Van Der Beek’s family, expressing her gratitude to everyone who donated. She said it was truly heartwarming to see so many people contributing to their well-being.

James Van Der Beek is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children: daughters Olivia (15), Annabel (12), Emilia (9), and Gwendolyn (7), and sons Joshua (13) and Jeremiah (4).

The fundraising page started with a goal of $500,000, but has now raised over $2.7 million thanks to more than 46,000 donations.

After this heartbreaking loss, Kimberly and her children are now facing a very uncertain future.

James’s medical bills and long battle with cancer have drained the family’s finances.

They’re doing everything they can to keep their home and make sure their children can continue learning and feel secure, despite facing a really tough situation.

As a lifestyle expert, I always tell people that going through a tough time is so much easier when you have a strong support system. Seriously, the love and encouragement of your friends, family, and even your wider community can make all the difference as you move forward. It truly helps navigate whatever challenges life throws your way.

Your kindness will directly help Kimberly and her family with everyday costs like bills and groceries, and ensure her children can continue their education. Any amount you can give will make a real difference as they work to get back on their feet and find stability. Thank you for your support.

In a September 2025 Instagram post, Kimberly shared a photo with friends Williams, Busy Philipps, and Katie Holmes, showing how close they are.

It’s been both wonderful and sad getting to know these amazing women. They’re truly special – kind, talented, and genuinely good-hearted, and I cherish our connection.

I really miss him. But the outpouring of support and love has been incredibly comforting. I’ll share more updates as I can. This was a lighthearted, unplanned moment – we were all running up and down the stairs to get to our dressing rooms!

On the day of his death, Philipps paid tribute to Van Der Beek with a touching Instagram post.

Oh my god, my heart is absolutely broken. She just posted the sweetest throwback photos of them together, and her caption… it just wrecked me. She said her heart is hurting for all of us – everyone who ever knew James, loved his music, or even just met him. She’s thinking of his closest friends, the whole community that supported him through everything, and especially his family – his parents, brother, and sister. It’s just… devastating. I feel like I’m grieving right along with them.

I’m deeply saddened for his wonderful wife, Kimberly, and their six children. A GoFundMe has been set up to support them, and I’ve shared the link in my stories.

I’m heartbroken by the loss of James Van Der Beek. He was a truly special person, a wonderful friend, and I’ll cherish our years of friendship forever. I’m sending all my love. ❤️

Read More

2026-03-03 01:03