At the 2022 Gotham Awards on Monday, actor Michelle Williams gave a beautiful speech upon accepting the Film Tribute Award, paying a heartfelt tribute to former Dawson's Creek co-star Mary Beth Peil.
However, the speech was misinterpreted by many, sparking concern Peil—who played Williams' grandmother in the series—had died.
In the speech, Williams shared:
"Whenever something good happens for me in my life, I can draw a straight line back to somebody who was meant to be here tonight, but, being a New Yorker, means living in a reality that you are definitely not in control of—so she's not in the room, but she's in my heart."
Williams revealed she was an "emancipated minor" when she met Peil at 16 and was "totally alone."
"Mary Beth Peil was the first artist that I had ever met in my life.
"She didn't call herself that, but there was something different about her."
"It was the way she asked questions, the way that she leaned into conversations, and how excited she seemed for every moment of every day on our TV set."
"And I didn't know what this ineffable quality was, but I knew I wanted to pull my chair closer to hers."
She concluded her speech with:
"I wouldn't have known how to handle being Steven Spielberg's mother [in 'The Fabelmans'] without having been Mary Beth's granddaughter, so thank you Mary Beth, and thank you Gotham Awards for this."
You can watch the full speech below.
WARNING: NSFW language
\u201cMichelle Williams, who received a performer tribute at this year's #GothamAwards, commended her #DawsonsCreek co-star Mary Beth Peil during her speech. https://t.co/Zr7PrBepzi\u201d— Variety (@Variety) 1669683741
Needless to say, Twitter users suffered a moment of panic.
\u201cIt is a great speech, but made me freak out for a second, as I was pretty sure I didn't hear about Mary Beth Peil passing away, but I guess she just meant she literally physically couldn't be there.\u201d— Brian Cronin (@Brian Cronin) 1669704427
\u201cno-one would possibly come away from this speech thinking Mary Beth Peil is still alive (she is lmao)\u201d— Joey Sims (@Joey Sims) 1669691134
\u201c@joeycsims LOL - I wondered that, too! Thankfully she is still with us. She was exceptional in The Good Wife as Jackie Florrick.\u201d— Joey Sims (@Joey Sims) 1669691134
Okay, I did have to check.
— Joe Reid (@joereid) November 29, 2022
\u201cVery happy about all the Mary Beth Peil tweets but now I\u2019m nervous.\u201d— shane (@shane) 1669686315
Those who caught the beginning of the speech knew Peil was alive and well.
They applauded Williams for both her award and her display of gratitude for Peil.
Such a beautiful speech showing enormous respect to Mary Beth Peil .
— Vicki B (@vickinoz) November 29, 2022
Nothing more satisfying to a die hard Dawson’s Creek fan than Grams and Jen getting the credit they so much deserve. Congrats, Michelle! pic.twitter.com/wpLM0klwKh
— Danielle (Taylor’s Version) (@MsDanielleCulp) November 29, 2022
Congratulations and what a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to a beautiful woman and example and mentor!
— Kara Obey (@kobey1sun) November 29, 2022
Yeah I just sobbed. Her & her grandmother's relationship was the best relationship on the show.
— Ben Affleck's Back Tattoo (@NickleLush) November 29, 2022
This is such a beautiful speech and acknowledgement of the impact people have on each other. 💜❤️
— Stephanie. (@qsteph) November 29, 2022
One of the best acceptance speeches and it's about celebrating someone else.
— Hello (@yasseractually) November 29, 2022
Steven Spielberg's The Fabelmans garnered lots of Oscar buzz especially for Williams' role as Mitzi Fabelman.
As for Peil, you can catch her at the off-Broadway show A Man of No Importance.
@jordeeeeeeee/TikTok
@jordeeeeeeee/TikTok
@jordeeeeeeee/TikTok
@jordeeeeeeee/TikTok
@jordeeeeeeee/TikTok
@jordeeeeeeee/TikTok
@jordeeeeeeee/TikTok
@jordeeeeeeee/TikTok
@jordeeeeeeee/TikTok
@jordeeeeeeee/TikTok
