Michelle Williams has James Van Der Beek on her mind.
The “Dying for Sex” actress, 45, reflected on the loss of her “Dawson’s Creek” costar while speaking with Entertainment Tonight at the 2026 Actor Awards on March 1.
Williams, who played Jen Lindley on the classic teen drama opposite Van Der Beek’s Dawson Leery, told ET she is “thinking about him, and I’m thinking about his family, constantly,” less than three weeks after his death at age 48 following a battle with colorectal cancer.
“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,” Williams added. “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. It’s an incredibly meaningful thing to witness.”
Michelle Williams attends the Actor Awards at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on March 1, 2026, in Los Angeles.
A GoFundMe to support Van Der Beek’s family, which the late actor’s wife Kimberly Van Der Beek said was created by friends, has raised $2.7 million.
The description for the fundraiser said that throughout the actor’s illness, “the family faced not only emotional challenges but also significant financial strain as they did everything possible to support James and provide for his care,” and “the costs of James’s medical care and the extended fight against cancer have left the family out of funds.”
James Van Der Beek, 48, dies of colon cancer. What to know about the condition
Van Der Beek was first diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in August 2023 and announced his diagnosis the following year.
Remembering James Van Der Beek and the family he leaves behind
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James Der Beek, seen here smooching wife Kimberly at Logo’s 2011 NewNowNext Awards in Hollywood, was a doting dad of six. Look back at the late star’s many red-carpet appearances with his family.
Van Der Beek’s other costars on “Dawson’s Creek,” the WB teen drama that ran from 1998 to 2003, previously shared emotional tributes to the actor.
‘Dawson’s Creek’ star James Van Der Beek dies at 48 after colorectal cancer battle
James Van Der Beek attends the premiere of “Overcompensating” on May 14, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Katie Holmes wrote on Instagram last month, “I mourn this loss with a heart holding the reality of his absence and deep gratitude for his imprint on it,” while Busy Philipps said that her “heart is deeply hurting for all of us today.”
Series creator Kevin Williamson also posted on Instagram that he was “truly at a loss for words” and “have to trust that one day those words will come… But today, all I can think about is Kimberly and the entire Van Der Beek family.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Michelle Williams reflects on James Van Der Beek’s death