James Van Der Beek’s “Dawson’s Creek” dad John Wesley Shipp  pays tribute to his TV son

John Wesley Shipp, who portrayed the father of Van Der Beek’s character on Dawson’s Creek, has posted a tribute to his TV son that I want to share:

I try to pause before commenting when a painful event occurs in the lives of people to whom I have been close, out of an abundance of caution not to co-opt their personal pain and make it my own. I am so glad to have met James Van Der Beek’s beautiful family at his DANCING WITH THE STARS competition in LA and most recently at the spectacular event, DAWSON’S CREEK ON BROADWAY last Fall. It is to them that my heart goes out at this moment, his beautiful wife, Kimberly and children, their families and circle of closest friends.

Your sorrow must be immense at this moment, and I center you in my heart. Thank you for your past embraces, and know that my arms are firmly around you at James’ passing.

Now to James. I had the privilege of working closely with James for over 4 years as the father of his character, Dawson, of DAWSON’S CREEK. It delighted me that this father/son relationship was affectionate and close which allowed me to play intimate father/son scenes with this remarkable young man. Acting is intimacy, and people often remarked that James and I began to reflect each others expressions and movements – down to the eyebrows! – not out of intention, rather out of studying each other closely in the course of breathing life into Kevin Williamson’s remarkable achievement through the characters he so carefully and thoughtfully crafted. This period in my career, on the eastern coastal waterways Wilmington, NC, is frozen in time for me, apart from and yet magically informing my life.

I can only say that I am grateful for you, James, your generosity with me as an actor, your desire to breathe life and truth into the often quirky father/son moments we shared together onscreen. I offer up respect and affection at your passing. For the moving, serious, often hilarious moments we entered into in the process of creating, and for memories that will last beyond our lifetimes.