Michelle Williams made her first public appearance following the announcement of the death of her former Dawson’s Creek co-star James Van Der Beek, attending the 32nd Annual Actor Awards held Sunday at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles.
Williams, 45, appeared on the red carpet wearing a pink Prada gown and was accompanied by her spouse, director Thomas Kail. The event marked her first major public engagement since Van Der Beek’s passing at age 48 was publicly confirmed on February 11.
At the ceremony, Williams received the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series for her portrayal of Molly Kochan in Dying for Sex. She had previously won in 2020 for her performance in Fosse/Verdon and has received multiple nominations over the past two decades for her work in projects including The Station Agent, Brokeback Mountain, My Week with Marilyn, Manchester by the Sea, and The Fabelmans.
In remarks to Entertainment Tonight, Williams stated that she has been thinking “constantly” about Van Der Beek and his family following his passing. She also expressed appreciation for individuals who have contributed to fundraising efforts benefiting his family.
Van Der Beek’s family announced his death via a statement posted to his official Instagram account, noting that he passed peacefully and requesting privacy as they mourned. The statement described him as meeting his final days “with courage, faith, and grace.”
Following his public disclosure of a cancer diagnosis in 2024, Williams indicated in prior interviews that she remained in contact with him during his illness, affirming her continued support.
In 2025, Williams organized a Dawson’s Creek reunion event at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City in support of the nonprofit organization F Cancer. Although Van Der Beek was unable to attend due to illness, he shared a recorded message expressing gratitude to his castmates and fans.
In a separate interview with Extra following her award win, Williams described the recognition for Dying for Sex as “very meaningful,” particularly given that the project was developed and produced predominantly by women. She characterized the accolade as an acknowledgment that such work holds a valued place within the industry and expressed hope to continue participating in similar productions.#newsafro_
