Busy Philipps tears up over cancer-stricken James Van Der Beek after he skips Dawson’s Creek reunion
Van Der Beek misses the event amid a battle with colorectal cancer; Lin-Manuel Miranda steps in for the Dawson role as cast reads pilot to benefit cancer charity
Busy Philipps grew emotional discussing James Van Der Beek’s absence from the Dawson’s Creek reunion, a live table-reading of the show’s 1998 pilot staged this week in New York. The event, held at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, brought together Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson and the rest of the core cast for a nostalgia-tinged evening that benefited cancer-related causes. Van Der Beek, who has been publicly fighting colorectal cancer, could not attend because of a stomach illness, according to messages shared by his representatives and co-stars.
Phillips, 46, posted after the reunion that Van Der Beek’s absence was “heartbreaking for a million different reasons.” In the same post, she thanked Kimberly Van Der Beek and the actor’s six children for showing support from afar. The gathering included a live read of the pilot with several cast members stepping into familiar roles, and the event drew emotional reactions from fans and cast members alike as they reflected on the show’s impact and the real-life challenges faced by its stars.
The reunion, which celebrated Dawson’s Creek’ s enduring legacy, featured Williams and Holmes alongside Joshua Jackson and other original actors, including Meredith Monroe, Mary Beth Peil, John Wesley Shipp, Mary-Margaret Humes, Nina Repeta and Kerr Smith. As part of the evening’s programming, the cast members staged moments from the series, including a re-creation of a controversial scene that showcased Philipps and Jackson sharing a steamy kiss. Philipps had stepped into the show’s adult arc to portray Tamara Jacobs, Pacey’s high school English teacher, a nod to the show’s ongoing fan interest in the tangled dynamics among the group.
Van Der Beek, 48, had posted ahead of the night explaining he would not make the trip because two stomach viruses had grounded him at a difficult moment. In a video shared on social media, he thanked the cast and fans and said he would be cheering them on from afar, expressing gratitude for the support he has received during his cancer treatment. “This is the evening I’d been looking forward to MOST since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together, way back in January,” he wrote, adding that he was gutted to miss the event because of his illness. He noted that he hoped to see the cast and crew afterward and to “beaming and receiving from afar in a bed in Austin.”
The reunion was organized in part by Williams and event producer Jason Moore and served as a fundraiser for F Cancer and to support Van Der Beek’s ongoing battle with cancer. The star-based tribute aimed to celebrate the beloved WB-era drama while drawing attention to the caregiver and cancer-support networks that help families navigating a difficult diagnosis. Williams, Jackson, Holmes and the rest of the gang appeared in person, with several additional cast members joining via video and live read segments.
Van Der Beek first revealed his colorectal cancer diagnosis in November 2024, describing it as a private matter that he and his family would handle with optimism and resilience. In interviews since, he has conveyed that living with cancer is a long, ongoing process and that his treatment will likely be a continuing part of life for some time. The latest public statements from his team emphasized that he remains focused on his health and family while also appreciating the outpouring of support from fans and colleagues.
The Dawson’s Creek revival era remains a touchstone for fans who grew up with the show’s ensemble of Dawson Leery, Joey Potter, Pacey Witter and Jen Lindley, and the reunion night underscored the enduring affection for the series. Critics and viewers noted that the exposure to the show’s pilot script and favorite scenes provided a sense of closure and celebration for a cast that has spent decades revisiting the early chapters of its characters’ lives, while also facing the real-world health battle Van Der Beek continues to confront. The production also highlighted the role of charitable campaigns in leveraging nostalgia for meaningful causes, a trend that has gained traction across entertainment circles in recent years.
As the evening concluded, participants reflected on how Dawson’s Creek shaped friendships and the genre’s approach to adolescence in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The event’s organizers stressed the importance of community, family and resilience, themes that have defined Van Der Beek’s public communications since his diagnosis and have resonated with fans who have offered messages of support throughout his treatment. The cast’s ability to come together for a cause, even when a key member could not attend, stood as a testament to the show’s lasting connection with audiences and the tight-knit nature of its original ensemble.
