Actor Kerr Smith of “Dawson’s Creek” spoke with Markos Papadatos about his new book “I Don’t Want to Wait,” being a part of the hit teen drama TV series, and the iconic kiss. He played the role of Jack McPhee.
The kiss between Adam Kaufman (Ethan) and Kerr Smith (Jack) was the first ever kiss between two men in network primetime TV history.
Smith is also known for his portrayal of Kyle Brody on “Charmed” and Ryan Thomas on “Life Unexpected.” Over the years, Smith has had roles on “NCIS,” “The Fosters,” “Criminal Minds, and “Riverdale,” among others. His film credits include “Final Destination” and “My Bloody Valentine.”
Congrats on the new book ‘I Don’t Want to Wait’! How does that feel?
Great, it has been crazy. I am in New York, and I am in the middle of the press tour right now.
What inspired you to write this?
I realized how special my story is. In particular, playing Jack and how unique it was for television. I wanted to tell that story.
I also wanted to get everybody else’s take on what their experience was too when the cameras were not rolling. I just wanted everybody to have that experience of what it was like to be on a show that iconic.
What did you like most about playing your character, Jack?
I think at the time, the uniqueness of doing a gay storyline. In 1998, it hadn’t really been done before to this extent in a teenage drama. So that in of itself was really exciting.
It was very difficult and scary as well. It was one of those things where you hopefully realize in the moment, which I did to a degree, how special it could potentially be.
What was it like working with the late but great James Van Der Beek?
Great! James was a good friend and we had a unique relationship. I always say that it was broken up into three different parts.
Obviously, in our 20s, going through the craziness of becoming famous at the time, out of nowhere, trying to do this show. Then, later on in life, after the show was off, our ex-wives became very good friends. We had a whole other relationship of hanging out, barbecues, playing games, and things of that nature.
Then, the last couple of years, James and I started doing conventions together. That was really the relationship that I liked the most because we got to know each other as nearly 50-year-old guys that had gone through life and figured out what our place in the universe is and who we are to an extent.
We found out that a lot of our values and beliefs aligned, and that was very special.
What was it like working with Mary Beth Peil?
Some of my favorite scenes were working with Mary Beth Peil and Michelle Williams in Grams’ house.
Mary Beth is just such a pro. I mean, she’s a veteran. So like, I tried to soak up everything I could possibly learn from her. She does all these Broadway shows all the time. She always told me that her favorite part of “Dawson’s Creek” is the relationship between Jack and Jen, and that was so fun to hear!
Is your book’s title inspired by the Paula Cole theme song, ‘I Don’t Want to Wait’?
Yes, it’s the theme song of the series, but the title is something much deeper for me. The title is who I was as a person back in the “Dawson’s Creek” days because I didn’t want to wait for anything.
Like the next chapter, the next job, whatever it was, it was always about the desire to prove and to move. I realized there was a tension between urgency and presence.
Now that I’m older, I realized that it is actually the waiting that is the important part. The waiting and the moments in between… that’s the journey.
The journey is what I now realize is the important part. It’s not necessarily the milestones. So the title is much more than just the name of the song.
What did writing this book teach you about yourself?
It has let me relive a time in my life that was sometimes difficult, and I got to talk about it and relieve some of that tension. So, it helped me grow in many ways.
What’s the title of the current chapter of your life?
On the title of the current chapter of his life, he revealed, “When I am done with this press tour, the title is going to be ‘Hike, Bike, and Fish’.”
What would your superpower of choice be?
I think I want to fly for sure. Sometimes you have those dreams where you’re flying around and you actually realize you are in a dream, which is actually amazing.
What’s your advice for young and emerging actors?
would say live fearlessly for sure. That’s super important. You can’t have fear. Otherwise it’s going to stop what you are trying to do.
Another piece of advice I would have is to follow your passion. It’s so important because if you’re not doing what you are passionate about, you are just not creating that vibe and that energy that you really need.
Was that iconic Dawson’s Creek kiss ‘terrifying’ for you?
Terrifying is a big word. I was definitely nervous. I mean, it was a tough day. I knew that this was going to be something monumental on television since it hadn’t been done before in American TV anyway. So, there was no going back after that.
Adam Kaufman and I really got our act together, no pun intended. We just tackled it. We got great direction from the director James Whitmore, Jr. He told us that it doesn’t matter if it’s two guys or two girls kissing or a girl and a guy. The whole point is that you guys really like each other. So, it should be easy, and he was right. It was a great piece of direction, so we just went with it!
What does success mean to you?
I think success is the ability to follow your passion. It’s just so important. I don’t think you can give better advice.
What would you like to say to your fans?
I hope the fans enjoy the book! I hope that it gives them a better understanding of me a little bit. More importantly, I hope it gives them a better understanding of the show when the cameras were off.
Also, the feeling of nostalgia. The fact that we were a huge family down there with the cast and crew all together, and we just had a fantastic time.
I hope it gives them a pretty big glimpse into everything that happened down there in Wilmington, North Carolina.
His new book “I Don’t Want to Wait” is available on Amazon by clicking here.
To learn more about Kerr Smith, follow him on Instagram and check out his Linktree page.
