Michelle Williams honors James Van Der Beek at SAG Actor Awards 2026 after ‘Dawson’s Creek’ co-star’s death

Michelle Williams paid tribute to James Van Der Beek after he died of cancer.

After winning the SAG Actor Award for outstanding performance by a female actor in a television movie or limited series for her role in “Dying for Sex” on Sunday, the actress caught up with “Entertainment Tonight” to reflect on his loss.

When asked if she was thinking about her late “Dawson’s Creek” co-star while accepting her award, she said somberly, “I’m thinking about him and I’m thinking about his family constantly.

“And I also just want to say like 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 and I just really want to say thank you to each and every person who contributed to sustaining their lives and their children’s lives and it’s an incredibly meaningful thing to witness.”

Van Der Beek portrayed the titular character, Dawson Leery, on the iconic WB teen drama, while Williams, 45, played Jen Lindley. The show ran for six seasons from 1998 to 2003.

The “Brokeback Mountain” actress’s heartbreaking tribute came after Van Der Beek died on Feb. 11 following a years-long battle with colorectal cancer. He was 48.

At the time, the “Varsity Blues” star’s wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, said James “passed peacefully.”

“He met his final days with courage, faith and grace,” she wrote on Instagram.

“There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come,” Kimberly added. “For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”

James had been battling Stage 3 cancer since August 2023.

In order to help with his medical expenses, he auctioned off his personal “Dawson’s Creek” memorabilia — including the necklace his character gifted Joey (played by Katie Holmes) for prom — last year.

Holmes mourned her late “Dawson’s Creek” co-star on social media by sharing a touching handwritten note.

“To share a space with your imagination is sacred — breathing the same air in the land of make believe and trusting that each other’s hearts are safe in their expression,” Holmes wrote.

“These are some of the memories, along with laughter, conversations about life, James Taylor songs — adventures of a unique youth,” she added.

The “Batman Begins” star then highlighted James’ “compassion, bravery, selflessness and strength,” before noting his “appreciation for life with the integrity that life is art.”

Holmes said she would “always be there” for James’ “beautiful” wife and their six “loving children.”

“I mourn this loss with a heart holding the reality of his absence and deep gratitude for his imprint on it,” she concluded.

James’ friends have created a GoFundMe to help his family with expenses following his death. As of this publication, over $2.7 million has been raised.