Michelle Williams has publicly addressed the death of her former Dawson’s Creek costar James Van Der Beek. The actress, who starred alongside Van Der Beek on the hit teen drama Dawson’s Creek, reflected on the loss while attending the Screen Actors Guild Awards over the weekend. Williams had just taken home the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series for her work in Dying for Sex when she spoke to Entertainment Tonight on the red carpet. During the conversation, it was shared that Van Der Beek and his loved ones have been on her mind constantly in the wake of his passing.
It was expressed that her thoughts have remained not only with him, but also with his family and especially his daughters. The loss was described as deeply felt, with an emphasis placed on the impact on those closest to him.
Williams and Van Der Beek rose to fame together in the late 1990s on Dawson’s Creek, which followed a tight knit group of friends navigating adolescence and early adulthood. The series became a defining show of its era and helped launch both actors into prominent careers in film and television.
While Williams has largely kept her reflections private, her latest remarks marked one of the first times she publicly acknowledged Van Der Beek’s death. The moment came during a significant night in her own career, as she celebrated her recent acting achievement. Even so, the focus briefly shifted to honoring her former costar’s memory.
Van Der Beek was a father to multiple children, and much of the sentiment shared centered on the heartbreak surrounding his family’s grief. It was made clear that they have remained at the forefront of her thoughts during this difficult time.
As tributes continue to emerge from friends, colleagues, and fans, Williams’ message underscored the lasting bond formed during their early years on television and the enduring connection shared by the Dawson’s Creek cast.