James Van Der Beek's wife Kimberly has praised the cast of Dawson's Creek, calling the reunion 'such a gift' after her husband's former co-stars gathered to support him during his battle with cancer.
The 48-year-old actor was diagnosed with stage three colorectal cancer in 2023 and was unable to attend the charity event in New York City after he came down sick with two stomach viruses.
However, his wife and six kids were able to attend the reunion on his behalf as the Dawson's Creek main cast reunited on stage for a live reading of the show's 1998 pilot episode in aid of F**k Cancer.
Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, and Joshua Jackson, were among the big names who came out to support James on the night, as well as Busy Phillips, Mary Beth Peil, John Wesley Shipp, Mary-Margaret Humes, Nina Repeta, Kerr Smith, and Meredith Monroe.
While James couldn't attend in person, he sent a video message to the cast expressing his regret for not being able to be there as well as thanking the cast, saying he was 'humbled' by their support.
'I have been looking forward to this night for months and months ever since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together. I can't believe I'm not there. I can't believe I don't get to see my cast mates, my beautiful cast in person.'
He continued: 'I want to stand on that stage and thank every single person in the theater for being here tonight. From the cast to the crew to everybody who's doing anything and has been so generous, and especially every single last one of you - you are the best fans in the world.'
'Thank you for coming. It's just absolutely humbling just how much you did for this night, and I just want to say thank you. Thank you to every single person here.'
In a special moment, Kimberly and James' children joined the cast onstage to sing the Dawson's Creek theme song, I Don't Want To Wait, with his two daughters Olivia and Emilia, performing a surprise solo.
Following the show, Kimberly said: 'It was such a gift... the entire cast has been, beyond words. Words will never do justice for their support.
'Michelle Williams was the brainchild of the night. It was such a gift and Thomas Kail [her husband] came in and made so many of the kids' dreams come true on this trip.
'Those two are just like exquisite angel humans... It is so special to the whole family.
'And, more importantly, just feeling my husband fill the entire theatre and the love for him. We will be unwinding this one for a while.'
