James Van Der Beek’s Dawson’s Creek Co-Star Opens up About His Death

Michelle Williams reflected on late Dawson’s Creek co-star James Van Der Beek in an Entertainment Tonight interview at the 32nd Actor Awards, highlighting the public support for his family. The Michelle Williams tribute followed news of the James Van Der Beek death on February 11, 2026, at age 48 from colorectal cancer. She thanked those who helped sustain the family and their children. Van Der Beek was diagnosed with stage III colorectal cancer in 2023, disclosed publicly in 2024. In November 2025, he auctioned Dawson’s Creek memorabilia to fund treatment, and a GoFundMe has raised more than $2.75 million from over 51,000 donations. The actors starred together in the 1998 series alongside Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson.