Michelle Williams Breaks Silence on Costar James Van Der Beek’s Dying

Michelle Williams broke her silence on the dying of her former Dawson’s Creek costar James Van Der Beek.

Throughout an interview with Leisure Tonightrecorded on Sunday, March 1, at SAG’s 2026 Actor Awards in Los Angeles, Williams, 45, spoke candidly about how Van Der Beek’s dying has impacted her.

“I’m excited about him and I’m excited about his household consistently,” she informed the outlet. Van Der Beek died on the age of 48 on February 11 following a battle with most cancers.

Williams, who performed Jen Lindley reverse Van Der Beek’s Dawson Leery on the WB coming-of-age drama which ran from 1998 to 2003, additionally shared a message with the individuals who have contributed to the GoFundMe launched by Van Der Beek’s household within the wake of his dying.

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Associated: GoFundMe for James Van Der Beek’s Household Raises Extra Than $2 Million

UPDATE — 2/13/26, 7:37 a.m. ET: The GoFundMe marketing campaign has raised $2,125,661 by early Friday, February 13. Authentic story: The GoFundMe for James Van Der Beek’s widow, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their six youngsters has hit an enormous milestone. As of the night of Wednesday,  February 11, the GoFundMe marketing campaign has surpassed the $1 (…)

“I additionally simply need to say, like, it’s been such a tremendous factor as James’ pal and a pal of the household to see the response within the wake of his passing and I simply actually need to say thanks to each one that contributed to sustaining their life and their kids’s lives,” she informed the outlet, who shared the interview by way of its X account. “It’s an extremely significant factor to witness.”

Van Der Beek’s spouse, Kimberly Van Der Beekconfirmed his dying by way of social media on February 11. “Our beloved James David Van Der Beek handed peacefully this morning. He met his closing days with braveness, religion, and beauty,” she stated in an announcement shared by way of Van Der Beek’s Instagram on the time. “There’s a lot to share concerning his needs, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. These days will come. For now we ask for peaceable privateness as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and pal.”

Later that day, the GoFundMe was launched in an effort to help Kimberley and her six kids. “James Van Der Beek was a beloved husband, father, and pal who touched the lives of everybody round him,” an outline on the GoFundMe web page learn. “After an extended and brave battle with most cancers, James handed away on February 11, 2026 abandoning his devoted spouse, Kimberly, and their six great kids. All through his sickness, the household confronted not solely emotional challenges but additionally important monetary pressure as they did all the pieces potential to help James and supply for his care.”

On the time of publication, $2.75 million had been raised for the household, far surpassing the unique listed objective of $1.5 million.

Williams’ Actor Awards look marked her first public outing since Van Der Beek’s dying. She gained the Actor award of Finest Actress in a Restricted Collection for her work in FX’s Dying For Intercourse.

After Van Der Beek shared publicly in November 2024 that he had been identified with stage 3 colorectal most cancers, Williams informed Leisure Tonight in April 2025 that she was “involved” with Van Der Beek and was there for him “in each and all methods.”

She later organised a Dawson’s Creek reunion, which Van Der Beek was unable to attend on account of a abdomen virus, in an effort to boost cash for F Most cancers. The actress shared by way of an August 2025 assertion, “We grew up in Capeside and that’s a bond that may final a lifetime. We needed to assemble round our expensive pal James and remind him that we’re all right here. We at all times have been and we at all times shall be. And I do know the followers of Dawson’s Creek really feel the identical means.”