“Dawson’s Creek” creator Kevin Williamson is speaking out following the passing of James Van Der Beek at 48 after a battle with colorectal cancer, sharing an emotional tribute and a direct message of support to the actor’s wife, Kimberly.
Williamson took to Instagram to post a carousel of photos of himself with the late actor, reflecting on their decades-long bond that began when he cast Van Der Beek as Dawson Leery on the hit WB drama. In the caption, he addressed Kimberly first.
“To Kimberly, With much love, we are here for you. Your Dawson’s Creek family will always be here for you and your beautiful family,” he wrote. “To everyone, thank you for your outpouring of love. It has been felt.”
He continued, admitting he has struggled to articulate what Van Der Beek meant to him.
“Several times today, from my heart, I’ve tried to form the words to express the beautiful brilliance of James and what his presence has meant to my life. But I am truly at a loss for words. I will 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. My heart is with you. K”
Williamson thanked fans for their overwhelming support while emphasizing that his immediate focus is on Kimberly and the couple’s six children. He also publicly promised that the “Dawson’s Creek” family would stand by her during this difficult time.
The Role That Started It All
Van Der Beek rose to fame as Dawson Leery on “Dawson’s Creek,” the semi-autobiographical teen drama Williamson created in the late 1990s. The series, which ran from 1998 to 2003, became a defining show of its era and launched the careers of several young stars.
Williamson has previously shared that he chose Van Der Beek for the lead role because of the vulnerability and nervous energy he brought to the character. That decision helped shape the emotional tone of the series and cemented Van Der Beek as a household name.
Beyond “Dawson’s Creek,” the actor went on to appear in projects including “Varsity Blues,” “Scary Movie,” “How I Met Your Mother” and “Pose,” building a career that spanned more than two decades.
Castmates Share Their Grief
Williamson is not alone in honoring his former leading man. Katie Holmes shared a handwritten note remembering her late co-star, describing their shared creative space as sacred and expressing love for Kimberly and the children. Busy Philipps called Van Der Beek “one in a billion,” writing that she was profoundly heartbroken for his family.
As tributes continue to pour in, Williamson’s message stands as a reminder of the close-knit bond formed behind the scenes of the beloved series.
“With much love, we are here for you. Your Dawson’s Creek family will always be here for you.”
