On February 11, a year after revealing his battle with colorectal cancer, James Van Der Beek passed away at the age of 48. And among the many in Hollywood to pay tribute, front and center were his Dawson's Creek co-stars.
Katie Holmes and Busy Philipps were among the very first to react, and for the first time since his passing, Jen Lindley aka Michelle Williams is speaking out about him.
© Getty ImagesMichelle, 45, attended the 32nd Actor Awards presented by SAG-AFTRA in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 1, where she took home the Actor Award for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series for her turn in FX's Dying for Sex.
After her win, she spoke with Entertainment Tonight about her late co-star and friend, saying: "I'm thinking about him and I'm thinking about his family constantly," stopping herself from choking up while speaking.
© Getty ImagesShe specifically also shared her well wishes for his fans who've contributed to the GoFundMe created to support his widow Kimberly and their six kids, which was created by his friends on the day of his passing. As of writing, it has raised over $2.7 million, blowing past its $1.5 million goal.
"And I also just want to say, 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," Michelle continued. "And I just really want to say thank you to each and every person who contributed to making…to sustaining their life and their children's lives, and it's [an] incredibly meaningful thing to witness."
James' passing
Kimberly shared a statement on the family's behalf announcing her husband's passing on February 11. "Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning," she penned.
"He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity, and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend."
© Getty ImagesThe couple welcomed six kids together: daughters Olivia, 15, Annabel, 12, Emilia, nine, and Gwendolyn, seven, as well as sons Joshua, 13, and Jeremiah, four.
Dawson's Creek paying its respects
Busy was the first to break her silence, writing on Instagram: "My heart is deeply hurting for all of us today… every person who knew James and loved him, anyone who loved his work or had the pleasure of meeting him, all of his dear friends and community that surrounded him as he battled this illness, especially his parents and brother and sister."
© Getty Images"But I am profoundly heartbroken for his incredible wife Kimberly and their six magical children," she penned. "James Van Der Beek was one in a billion and he will be forever missed and I don't know what else to say. I am just so so sad. He was my friend and I loved him and I'm so grateful for our friendship all these years."
Katie later shared a handwritten note, which read in part: "James, Thank you. To share space with your imagination is sacred – breathing the same air in the land of make believe and trusting that each others' hearts are safe in their expression…"
