How the “Dawson's Creek” cast honored James Van Der Beek at their last reunion

Shania RussellWed, February 11, 2026 at 10:33 PM UTC

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Michelle Williams (Jennifer Lindley), James Van Der Beek (Dawson Leery), Katie Holmes (Joey Potter), and Joshua Jackson (Pacey) on 'Dawson's Creek'

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Five months before James Van Der Beek died at 48 following a years-long battle with colorectal cancer, his Dawson's Creek family gathered together in his honor.

Back in September, the cast of The WB teen drama reunited for a one-night-only charity event, aiming to raise money for Van Der Beek and the nonprofit F Cancer. Together, they performed a live reading of the show's iconic pilot episode — a performance originally slated to include Van Der Beek, who ultimately pulled out, citing a stomach virus.

Though he wasn't present for the event, costars Michelle Williams (Jen Lindley), Katie Holmes (Joey Potter), Joshua Jackson (Pacey Witter), Mary-Margaret Humes (Gail Leery), John Wesley Shipp (Mitch Leery), Nina Repeta (Bessie Potter), Meredith Monroe (Andie McPhee), Kerr Smith (Jack McPhee), Mary Beth Peil (Evelyn 'Grams' Ryan), and Busy Philipps (Audrey Liddell) took care to celebrate their former costar in his absence.

'Dawson's Creek' Class Reunion at Richard Rodgers Theatre on Sept. 22, 2025 in New York City

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The night was packed with loving surprises, including Van Der Beek's children joining the cast onstage and a special appearance from Steven Spielberg — a hero to Van Der Beek's character in the teen drama — who sent in a video message.

Van Der Beek himself found a way to stay involved, sending along a video message to mark the occasion.

"I have been looking forward to this night for months and months and months ever since my angel Michelle Williams said she would put it together. I can't believe I'm not there," Van Der Beek began in the clip. "I wanted to stand on that stage and thank every single person in this theater for being here tonight. From the cast to the crew to everybody who’s donated time and been so generous. And especially every single last one of you, the best fans the world."

He went on to quip about his replacement in the live reading, who he jokingly described as a "young up-and-comer." (The teen drama's titular role was filled by Hamilton's Lin-Manuel Miranda.)

After the event, the stars took to social media to celebrate the reunion — and their absent castmate.

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Holmes shared a clip from the event on Instagram, writing, "James, you got this. We got you. To everyone who supported us from the beginning and who continue to support James and his beautiful family, we thank you."

Philipps shared a video on her Instagram Story, honoring Van Der Beek.

"Tonight was really incredible and very special, and, obviously, James not being able to get there was heartbreaking for a million different reasons," she said. "But, I was so glad that [his wife] Kimberly, and all the kids were able to be there. His dad was there, his sister, Kimberly’s family and her closest friends. It was really beautiful, and James was getting lots of videos, FaceTimes, texts and things. We love him so much, and we love everybody that supported. Thank you."

James Van Der Beek on Nov. 18, 2024

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Van Der Beek died at age 48 on Wednesday, Feb. 11. A cause of death was not disclosed.

"Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning," his wife, Kimberly, announced in a statement shared across his social media accounts. "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."

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The beloved Dawson's Creek star first announced his diagnosis in November, and later revealed that his timeline for sharing the news with PEOPLE was moved up after learning that a tabloid was going to break the story. "I've been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family," he said at the time. "There's reason for optimism, and I'm feeling good."

on Entertainment Weekly

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