Joshua Jackson fought back tears during an emotional tribute to his Dawson’s Creek co-star James Van Der Beek seven months after his death.
Joshua Jackson fought back tears during an emotional tribute to his Dawson’s Creek co-star James Van Der Beek.
James died in February at the age of 48 after a battle with cancer and he was remembered at a star-studded charity event in Santa Monica, California on Saturday (03.10.26) as Dawson’s Creek creator Kevin Williamson was honoured with a special prize.
Joshua took to the stage alongside Kevin at the The Barbara Berlanti Heroes Gala – launched by writer/producer Greg Berlanti who also worked on the teen drama – and he praised Kevin for bringing the cast together for a table reunion last year even though James’ health stopped him from participating. Joshua told the audience at the Santa Monica Barker Hangar: “In the days before we went on stage to do this reading to support James, his health took a turn, and Kevin opened up not only his heart for making sure that everybody was okay, but also his wallet to make sure that we were able to honour James and honour his family at this event in truly the most amazing way possible.”
Joshua grew tearful as he added: “To allow his children to be in a room filled with people there to celebrate their dad as they had seen him go through what he was going through with humility and grace and to see the love for him that existed outside of their family.”
Kevin also spoke about his relationship with James over the years and he insisted the actor had a “full character arc” in real life.
He told the audience: “James gave voice to my childhood, he was the soul of the show, and anyway, he was the ultimate upgrade.
“I had the great pleasure of knowing James over many years, 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. 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 our relationship – Dawson talking to Dawson.”
Speaking of the actor’s death back in February, Kevin added: “Losing James earlier this year really knocked me over.
“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.”
Kevin also spoke about losing his mother to lung cancer, admitting she spent years teasing him about the Dawson’s Creek plot, joking: “She was so outraged that Joey picked Pacey over Dawson. I never heard the end of it.”
He added: “I think he’s [James] here with us tonight. He’s going to be with us for always. He’s awesome, and so I can’t pretend I’m worthy of any award but I will accept it.
“I’ll accept it in memory of my mother. I will accept it in the memory of James Van Der Beek, and I will accept it for the entire Dawson’s Creek family.”
The event also honoured The Pitt actress Katherine LaNasa and late basketball player Jason Collins.
Joshua Jackson fights tears during James Van Der Beek tribute
