James Van Der Beek Honored at Annual Barbara Berlanti Heroes Gala Reunion

Cast members and creator Kevin Williamson remembered late actor James Van Der Beek during a Dawson's Creek reunion at the Barbara Berlanti Heroes Gala, Deadline and Variety TV reported. The annual F Cancer benefit event, established eight years ago by producer Greg Berlanti to honor his mother who died of cancer, also recognized actress Katherine LaNasa. [1][2][3][4]

At the ceremony, show creator Kevin Williamson was honored with a Hero Award, as reported by Variety TV. As FTMQ Entertainment reported earlier, Williamson paid tribute to Van Der Beek during his acceptance speech, stating that the actor handled his cancer with grace and courage. Variety TV noted that Williamson called Van Der Beek the soul of the television series. [2][8]

Van Der Beek starred as Dawson Leery on the teen drama television series Dawson's Creek, which aired from January 1998 to May 2003 across six seasons. The series was created by Williamson and followed a group of friends in the fictional town of Capeside, Massachusetts. Berlanti also worked as a screenwriter and producer on the series. [5][6][7][8]

In addition to his lead role in Dawson's Creek, Van Der Beek appeared in Don't Trust the B in Apartment 23, CSI Cyber, and the FX drama Pose, according to background records. Berlanti continues to produce television through his company, Berlanti Productions, which was founded in 2000. [5][7]