Michelle Williams makes rare sighting with husband and kids… after mourning the loss of James Van Der Beek

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Michelle Williams and Thomas Kail were spotted enjoying a family day in New York City on Thursday with two of their kids. It was a rare public appearance for the family.

This was the second public appearance the actress has made since her close friend and former ‘Dawson’s Creek’ colleague, James Van Der Beek, passed away from colorectal cancer on February 11th.

The 45-year-old actress wore a warm, fleece-lined coat to protect against the cold, and the 49-year-old director kept warm in a black coat.

The famously private couple brought two of their three children with them: their son Hart, born in 2020, and their other child, born in 2022, whose name they haven’t shared. They also recently had a baby girl in April of last year, born through surrogacy. Serena Williams also has a 20-year-old daughter, Matilda, with the late Heath Ledger.

Kail did the honors and pushed the stroller while Hart toddled beside them.

Just after winning an award on March 1st at the 32nd Annual Actor Awards for her performance as Molly Kochan in ‘Dying for Sex’, Williams enjoyed a relaxing family walk.

This was her first time being seen in public since the passing of Van Der Beek, and she appeared at a glamorous event in Los Angeles.

In a conversation with ET, Williams said he was ‘constantly’ on her mind.

‘I’m thinking about him and I’m thinking about his family constantly,’ she told the outlet.

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

She thanked everyone who donated to the GoFundMe campaign created to help the actor’s children.

I want to sincerely thank everyone who has worked to support themselves and their families. Seeing that dedication is truly inspiring.

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 unfortunately 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.

Having friends, family, and the community rally around them will be incredibly helpful as they move forward.

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 September 2025, Kimberly shared an Instagram post highlighting her strong friendships with Williams, Busy Philipps, and Katie Holmes.

Following Van Der Beek’s cancer announcement in late 2024, Williams shared that she had remained in contact with him throughout his health battle.

She shared in an April 2025 interview that they are still in touch with him and he is very much on their minds.

‘And we’re here for him in every and all ways.’

Last summer, actor Josh Williams organized a reunion for the cast of Dawson’s Creek at the Richard Rodgers Theater in New York City. The event was a fundraiser for the charity F Cancer.

‘We grew up in Capeside and that’s a bond that will last a lifetime,’ Williams said. 

We all wanted to show James how much we care and that we’ll always be there for him. It’s something the fans of Dawson’s Creek feel too, I’m sure.

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2026-03-19 19:34