Michelle Williams said she’s in touch with former Dawson’s Creek costar, James Van Der Beek, as he continues his battle against cancer.
Asked about Van Der Beek, who revealed his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis last year, Williams, 44, told ET on Wednesday, April 2, that she was “absolutely” in touch with the actor following the news.
“We’re in contact, and he’s in our hearts and our minds, and he knows that. And we’re here for him in every and all ways,” she told the outlet, although she did not clarify who the collective “we” referred to.
Alongside Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson, Williams and Van Der Beek worked together on the hit teen drama which aired from 1998 to 2003.
Although the show attracted millions of fans, it appears Williams’ daughter, Matilda, 19, may not be among them. (Williams shares Matilda with the late Heath Ledger, who died in 2008.)
Williams appeared on the Thursday, April 3 episode of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen and was asked whether Matilda had ever watched the series.
“I don’t think so,” Williams replied. “No, she’s been really busy watching all seven seasons of New Girl for the eighth time.”
Van Der Beek first revealed his cancer diagnosis in November 2024 in an interview with People.
“I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family,” he explained at the time. “There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good.”
To mark his 48th birthday in March, the Varsity Blues actor reflected on the tough year he’d faced due to his health battle.
“This year, I had to look my own mortality in the eye. I came nose to nose with death,” he said in a video shared via his Instagram.
Van Der Beek added that he defined himself as a family man but his cancer diagnosis put this idea he had of himself into disarray. (The actor has been married to his wife Kimberley since 2010 and the couple share six children: Olivia, 14, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 11, Emilia, 8, Gwendolyn, 6, Jeremiah, 2)
“All of those definitions that I cared so deeply about were stripped from me. I was away for treatment so I could no longer be a husband who was helpful to my wife,” he said. “I could no longer be a father who could pick up his kids and put them to bed and be there for them.”
