James Van Der Beek Was the ‘Soul’ of ‘Dawson’s Creek,’ Says Show Creator Kevin Williamson: ‘He Handled His Cancer With Such Grace and Courage’

“Dawson’s Creek” creator Kevin Williamson remembered the show’s late star Jame Van Der Beek on Saturday night while being honored with a Hero Award at the Barbara Berlanti Heroes Gala, Greg Berlanti’s annual F Cancer benefit. Williams explained that the show, about a small-town high school student dreaming of becoming a Hollywood director, was inspired by his own life. “So when I was casting the role, I was basically looking for me, but I was looking for the good-looking, handsome, camera-ready, great jawline version of myself, someone people would actually want to see,” Williamson said, adding, “He became that person. James Van Der Beek gave voice to my childhood. He was the soul of the show. He was the ultimate upgrade.” Van Der Beek died in February, two years after being diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2023. Popular on Variety “I saw him go from a young kid to an extraordinary man, a husband, a father and a friend. James had a full character arc. He started out as a brat,” Williamson cracked. “He would get a script and he would call me, and he would be like, ‘Why do I have to say this word? Nobody knows what this word means.’ And I would say, ‘Well, don’t worry about it, the way you mumble nobody is going to hear it anyway.’ That was that was our relationship — Dawson talking to Dawson.” MORE: James Van Der Beek’s Career in Photos, From ‘Dawson’s Creek’ to ‘Pose’ In September 2025, a “Dawson’s Creek” reunion was held in New York to raise funds for F Cancer and Van Der Beek’s treatment and support. Williamson, Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, Mary Beth Peil, John Wesley Shipp, Mary-Margaret Humes, Nina Repeta, Kerr Smith, Meredith Monroe and Busy Philipps took the stage at the Richard Rodgers Theater to read the 1998 pilot episode. Lin-Manuel Miranda stepped in for Van Der Beek because he was unable to attend due to illness. “Losing James earlier this year really knocked me over,” Williamson said, adding, “To lose the man who gave life to your own youth, I’m still unpacking that one. He handled his cancer with such grace and courage.” Williamson also talked about his mom, who died of lung cancer. “She was so outraged that Joey picked Pacey over Dawson,” he said. “I never heard the end of it.” The gala, held at the Santa Monica Barker Hangar, also honored “The Pitt” star Katherine LaNasa and the late NBA player Jason Collins. See photos from the Barbara Berlanti Heroes Gala below. Joshua Jackson, Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson Jesse Grant Robbie Rogers and Greg Berlanti Jesse Grant Shawn Hatosy and Kelly Albanese Jesse Grant Kevin Williamson and Octavia Spencer Jesse Grant Lisa Ann Walter Jesse Grant Katherine LaNasa Jesse Grant Noah Wyle and Sara Wyle Jesse Grant Gerran Howell Jesse Grant Joely Fisher Jesse Grant Scott Gemmill and Katherine LaNasa Jesse Grant Bre-Z Jesse Grant Matthew Lillard Jesse Grant Taylor Dearden Jesse Grant Yvonne Orji Jesse Grant Fiona Dourif Jesse Grant