Kevin Williamson honors James Van Der Beek at Barbara Berlanti Heroes Gala
Dawson's Creek creator Kevin Williamson paid tribute to late star James Van Der Beek on Saturday night at the Barbara Berlanti Heroes Gala in New York.
Williamson recalls casting process and bond
Kevin Williamson explained that he originally cast Van Der Beek because the actor resembled his own idealized self. The showrunner stated that Van Der Beek became the good-looking, handsome version of himself that audiences wanted to see. Williamson described their professional relationship as Dawson talking directly to Dawson during script discussions.
Tribute highlights actors grace and courage
Williamson called Van Der Beek the soul of the show and praised his handling of cancer with grace and courage. The actor died in February after a colorectal cancer diagnosis made public in 2023. Williamson noted that he watched Van Der Beek grow from a difficult young man into an extraordinary husband, father, and friend.
Reunion event raised funds for charity
A Dawson's Creek reunion took place in September 2025 to support F Cancer and Van Der Beek. The Barbara Berlanti Heroes Gala serves as an annual benefit organized by Greg Berlanti.
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