The cast of Dawson’s Creek shared their public support for James Van Der Beek’s cancer battle before his death.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,” James’ wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, wrote via Instagram in February 2026. “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.”
James shared his colorectal cancer diagnosis in 2024, one year before the Dawson’s Creek cast reunited on Broadway to raise money for F Cancer. James, however, was absent from the event due to an illness.
The hit ‘90s show centered around a group of friends — Dawson (James) Joey (Katie Holmes), Pacey (Joshua Jackson), Jen (Michelle Williams) and more — navigating high school and beyond. Dawson’s Creek aired on The WB from 1998 to 2003.
Scroll down to see what the Dawson’s Creek cast said about James’ cancer battle before his death:
Joshua Jackson
Joshua Jackson gave an update on James Van Der Beek’s health in April 2025, sharing that his former costar’s diagnosis “brought the whole gang back together.”
“The last I heard — it’s not really my story to tell, but — that the latest round of treatment was doing well,” Jackson said on an episode of The Jennifer Hudson Show. “So he’s doing a little bit better, but it is obviously very, very scary.”
He continued, “Yeah, thoughts, prayers and just anything that can be done for him and his family. He has a large, young family.”
Michelle Williams
When asked if she was in contact with James Van Der Beek amid his cancer battle, Michelle Williams told ET in April 2025, “Absolutely.”
“We’re in contact, and he’s in our hearts and our minds, and he knows that,” she explained. “And we’re here for him in every and all ways.”
Busy Philipps
Busy Philipps became emotional over James Van Der Beek’s cancer battle after he was absent from the Dawson’s Creek reunion and shared via Instagram that it was “heartbreaking for a million different reasons.”
“But I was so glad that Kimberly and all the kids [were there],” she said in the clip, per the New York Post in September 2025. “It was just really beautiful. And James is getting lots of videos and Facetimes and texts and things, and we just love him so much.”
Kerr Smith
While reflecting on his friendship with James Van Der Beek, Kerr Smith exclusively told Us Weekly in November 2025, “This whole thing he’s gone through has kinda hit me hard. It’s been tough. To see a friend and a peer go through all of this — especially with the family he has, which is so awesome.”
Mary-Margaret Humes
Mary-Margaret Humes explained to Us in a September 2025 cover story that James Van Der Beek’s diagnosis resonated with her after her own private battle with cancer. She noted that the pair, who played a mother-son duo on the show, had remained close through the years.
“Since [then], we’ve had multiple conversations that are very uplifting and spiritual. He knows I’ve got his back 100 percent. He’s going to get through this, and we’re all coming together,” she told Us.
John Wesley Shipp
As the cast gathered to raise money for F Cancer, John Wesley Shipp exclusively told Us in September 2025 that the idea was to let James Van Der Beek “know that his Dawson’s Creek family surrounds him with love and support.”
“Not only will we be having a lot of fun seeing each other on stage, but we know we’ll be doing it for a worthy cause,” Shipp said.
