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James Van Der Beek rose to prominence as a leading actor in the iconic television series Dawson’s Creek, which aired from 1998 to 2003. The show became a cultural touchstone of the late 1990s and early 2000s, focusing on the lives, loves, and tribulations of a group of teenagers in the fictional town of Capeside, Massachusetts.
Playing the titular role of Dawson Leery, Van Der Beek showcased his acting talents, quickly becoming a household name. The show also starred Katie Holmes as Dawson’s love interest Joey, and Joshua Jackson as his best friend Pacey.
Credit: Screenshot, ‘Dawson’s Creek’, WB
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In a shocking revelation, Van Der Beek recently disclosed his diagnosis of colorectal cancer.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the actor shared that he had been dealing with the diagnosis privately before making it public. The 47-year-old actor expressed his gratitude for his family’s support during this difficult period.
“I have colorectal cancer. I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family,” the star, 47, tells PEOPLE exclusively.
“There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good,” Van Der Beek adds.
Credit: James Van Der Beek, Instagram
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Van Der Beek’s decision to publicly share his diagnosis was expedited by a press leak, which prompted him to announce his health struggles sooner than he had planned. He expressed his disappointment that some of his loved ones learned of his diagnosis through media outlets.
In an Instagram post, he offered apologies to friends and family, acknowledging that he had intended to discuss his condition on his terms.
“It is cancer…”
Each year, approximately 2 billion people around the world receive this diagnosis. And I’m one of them. There’s no playbook for how announce these things, but I’d planned on talking about it at length with People magazine at some point soon… to raise awareness and tell my story on my own terms. But that plan had to be altered early this morning when I was informed that a tabloid was going to run with the news.
I’ve been dealing with this privately until now, getting treatment and dialing in my overall health with greater focus than ever before. I’m in a good place and feeling strong. It’s been quite the initiation, and I’ll tell you more when I’m ready.
Apologies to all the people in my life who I’d planned on telling myself. Nothing about this process has occurred on my preferred timeline… But we roll with it, taking each surprise as a signpost, pointing us toward a greater destiny than we would have discovered without divine intervention.
Please know that my family and I deeply appreciate all the love and support.
More to come…
View this post on Instagram
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Amid his health battles, James Van Der Beek is cherishing the precious moments spent with his family. His affection for his six children — Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, and Jeremiah — shines through in his social media posts. Family life continues to be a central focus for Van Der Beek, as he strives to create memorable experiences despite the backdrop of his health challenges.
In recent weeks, he has shared joyous moments from family outings and adventures, showcasing the joy his children bring to his life. The upcoming Thanksgiving holiday is expected to be a special time for the family, one that Van Der Beek intends to embrace fully.
Credit: James Van Der Beek, Instagram
Despite the challenges presented by his cancer diagnosis, James Van Der Beek remains actively engaged in his acting career. He is set to appear in the upcoming Tubi film Sidelined: The QB and Me, which is scheduled for release on November 29.
Additionally, he will participate in the two-hour special The Real Full Monty, set to air on December 9. This special event will feature a group of celebrities, including Van Der Beek, who aim to raise awareness for prostate, testicular, and colorectal cancer through their participation.
We wish James Van Der Beek all the best as he continues to fight for his health and keep him and his family in our thoughts.
