Mary-Margaret Humes played James Van Der Beek’s on-screen mother, Gail Leery, on iconic ’90s TV drama Dawson’s Creek and is still heatrbroken over his death five months ago
Dawson’s Creek star Mary-Margaret Humes has paid tribute to James Van Der Beek ahead of Father’s Day following his tragic death. Fans of the iconic TV drama will recall that Mary-Margaret, 72, played Gail Leery – the on-screen mother of James’s character, Dawson, on the smash hit show from 1998 to 2003.
In November 2024, James revealed that he had been diagnosed with stage III colorectal cancer 14 months prior – and tragically he died in February this year at the age of 48. He left behind wife of sixteen years, Kimberly, and their six children.
This Sunday will mark the first Father’s Day James’s family will experience since his tragic death. Taking to social media on Saturday, Mary-Margaret shared an image of herself with James and her on-screen husband John Wesley Shipp, who played Mitchell ‘Mitch’ Leery on the show.
Referencing her on-screen son’s death, the American actress urged followers to embrace those closest to them as she contemplated the fragility of life. She wrote: “Wishing all of the amazing dads throughout this vast universe a Happy Father’s Day weekend.”
She continued: “My advice? Give big meaningful hugs and tell them you love them … a shout-out to simpler times with @vanderjames @johnwesleyshippjr.”
Fans of Dawson’s Creek were heartbroken five months ago when it was announced that James had died following his cancer diagnosis. His family announced the news in a social media post, writing at the time: “Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning.”
The statement continued: “He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”
Mary-Margaret was among those to take to social media to pay tribute to the actor. She wrote at the time: “Rarely am I at a loss for words … today would be the exception. James, my gracious warrior, you fought a hard battle against all odds with such quiet strength and dignity.”
She continued: “I will always love and admire you for that. Our last conversations, merely a few days ago, are forever sitting softly in my heart for safe keeping.”
And she added: “To our extended Dawson’s Creek family of friends … please be respectful of our silences at the moment as Beautiful Kimberly and family have asked for peaceful privacy for now.”
James is survived by his wife, Kimberly, 44, and their children Olivia, 15, Joshua, 14, Annabel, 12, Emilia, 10, Gwendolyn, eight, and Jeremiah, four.
Last month, Kimberly took to social media to express her continued heartbreak over her husband’s death. She wrote on Instagram: “Yesterday was three months since we lost @vanderjames. To say I’m heartbroken is a severe understatement.
“Words just don’t capture what grief is. The comforts of shock have worn off. The reality is settling in … and I miss him. We all miss him. Yet, there is a different kind of magic in the air. I feel him. I know him more deeply.”
Thanking fans for their support, the mum-of-six added: “The outpouring of support has been tremendous. It’s held our family in the most beautiful of ways.
“You all went absolutely above and beyond anything I could have ever expected in supporting us and honoring James. I am deeply grateful.”
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