Credit: WB Television Network & Alamy

Dawson’s Creek Star James Van Der Beek Issues Sad Cancer Update And Leaves Fans Devastated

Actor James Van Der Beek has opened up about his cancer journey after admitting that his life will never be the same again.

The Dawson’s Creek alum was first diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in  August 2023.

In a new interview with Today, he opened up about the disease and the toll it’s taken on his family life.

But despite being ill, the star noted that he finds escapism in acting, as he admitted: “The greatest thing about work is a cancer doesn’t exist between action and cut.”

And he most recently got back in front of the camera for the upcoming Legally Blonde prequel series Elle.

“It was fun to drop in and just have a blast because it’s such a great cast, a great production, and everybody out there is really talented,” Van Der Beek added.

He announced the sad news of his illness to the world in November 2024, noting that he had ‘come nose to nose with death.’

Speaking to his fans on Instagram in March, he said: “I was away for treatment, so I could no longer be a husband who was helpful to my wife.

“I could no longer be a father who could pick up his kids and put them to bed and be there for them. I could not be a provider because I wasn’t working.”

The 48-year-old noted that living with cancer feels like a ‘full-time job.’

“I’m just on the journey,” he said in the new interview.

He tragically added: “It’s a process.

“It’ll probably be a process for the rest of my life.”

But the most important thing in his life now is slowing down and enjoying the small things.

Speaking about his initial diagnosis, the star said: “I thought I was way ahead of the game.

“I ate as well as I could. I was healthy. I was in amazing cardiovascular shape.

“There was no reason in my mind that I should have gotten a positive diagnosis.”

The actor shares six children – Olivia, 14, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 11, Emilia, 9, Gwendolyn, 7, and Jeremiah, 3 – with wife Kimberly Van Der Beek.

But it seems that with the help of his family, friends, and religion, the star has been able to see some light in the dark.

He said: “I meditated and the answer came through.

“I am worthy of God’s love, simply because I exist.”

He added: “And if I’m worthy of God’s love, shouldn’t I also be worthy of my own?

“And the same is true for you.”

The dad-of-six wasn’t aware at 46, when he was diagnosed, that the recommended screening age for colorectal cancer had been reduced to 45.

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