James Van Der Beek didn’t wish to wait to greet followers on the “Dawson’s Creek” reunion.
Though the actor needed to drop out of Monday’s occasion in New York Metropolis resulting from “two abdomen viruses,” he made a shock digital look.
In a pre-recorded video, the “Varsity Blues” star expressed his regrets over lacking the second he had been “trying ahead to for months and months” because the titular character within the six-season present.
The 48-year-old wore a brown jacket, white T-shirt and plaid hat within the emotional footage projected onstage on the Richard Rogers Theatre.
“I can’t consider I’m not there,” he instructed attendees. “I can’t consider I don’t get to see my … lovely forged in particular person.”
Van Der Beek thanked “the forged [and] the crew [and] all people who’s doing something and has been so beneficiant.”
He additionally praised the “greatest followers on this planet” for displaying up for the stay studying of the primary episode of “Dawson’s Creek” as proceeds benefited the F Most cancers group — and his personal colorectal most cancers remedy.
“It’s simply completely humbling simply how a lot you probably did for this evening, and I simply wish to say thanks,” the “Pose” alum continued. “Thanks to each single particular person right here.”
Van Der Beek went on to introduce his substitute, Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Over the weekend, Van Der Beek introduced the playwright could be taking on for him on the stay studying.
“I DO have an understudy,” he wrote on Sunday whereas explaining how “gutted” he was to overlook the occasion. “Somebody my children would positively take into account an improve over me.”
The “Guidelines of Attraction” star, notably, shares six youngsters — Olivia, 14, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 11, Emilia, 9, Gwendolyn, 7, and Jeremiah, 3 — along with his spouse, Kimberly Van Der Beek.
Kimberly and the little ones joined James’ former co-stars, together with Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson and Michelle Williams, onstage Monday evening.
Two of their daughters had microphones and helped forged members sing the present’s theme, Paula Cole’s “I Don’t Wanna Wait.”
Kimberly, 43, teased their attendance in an Instagram touch upon Sunday, explaining that it was “essential” for her husband that they present up in his stead.
James was identified with most cancers in August 2023, going public with the information in November of the next yr.
“I’m in a spot of therapeutic, my power ranges are nice,” he instructed Folks on the time. “After I’ve been out of the woods utterly for what looks like a accountable period of time, I’ll circle again and allow you to know.”
Followers expressed concern over James’ look in Monday’s video, sending their well-wishes by way of social media.
“This simply hit me like a brick. I’m so scared for him,” one wrote, whereas one other urged James to “hold trucking” alongside.