James Van Der Beek is battling cancer: details of his fight and condition
23 september 2025 в 16:13
James Van Der Beek, best known for his role as Dawson Leery in the series «Dawson's Creek», - has been battling cancer for at least a year. When he missed a personal charity event with his former co-stars from the series The WB, fans began to worry about James' health.
«I've been waiting for this evening for months, ever since my angel Michelle Williams said she was organizing it», - James said in an unexpected pre-recorded speech at the Dawson’s Creek charity event in September 2025 in New York. «I can’t believe I’m not there. I can’t believe I’m not seeing my colleagues, my wonderful colleagues in person. … And I just want to come out on stage and thank everyone in the theater for being here today. From the actors to the crew to everyone who has been so generous, and especially each of you — you are the best fans in the world».
Below is an overview of James' battle with cancer and his current condition.
James is living with stage 3 colon cancer, which he revealed in November 2024.
«I have been dealing with this diagnosis privately and taking steps to address it, with the support of my incredible family», - he told People at the time. «There are reasons to be optimistic, and I am doing well».
The actor admitted that he «always associated cancer with age and an unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle», - but learned that this is not always the case.
«But I was in great cardiovascular shape», - James pointed out. «I tried to eat healthy — or at least as I knew at the time. … Then the gastroenterologist said — in the nicest way possible — that it was cancer. I think I went into shock».
Colon cancer can be treated surgically, but it needs to be detected early. Such operations include polypectomy to remove cancerous polyps, partial colectomy to remove part of the colon, radiofrequency ablation — using heat to destroy cancer cells — and chemotherapy, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
In July 2025, James said on Today that he «feels great», - although it has been «a journey».
«There are so many ups and downs and so much unknown», - noted the «Varsity Blues» star. «Cancer — I call it a full-time job … It’s a process. Maybe it will be a lifelong process».
Two months later, James had to miss a personal charity event for Dawson’s Creek at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York due to two stomach viruses. Lin-Manuel Miranda was his understudy, and James' wife and children were in the audience on his behalf.
However, James surprised fans by appearing virtually to thank fans and his colleagues from Dawson’s Creek.
«Thank you for coming. It’s just absolutely humbling how much you have done for this evening, and I just want to say thank you», - he said. «Thank you to everyone here»
«I've been waiting for this evening for months, ever since my angel Michelle Williams said she was organizing it», - James said in an unexpected pre-recorded speech at the Dawson’s Creek charity event in September 2025 in New York. «I can’t believe I’m not there. I can’t believe I’m not seeing my colleagues, my wonderful colleagues in person. … And I just want to come out on stage and thank everyone in the theater for being here today. From the actors to the crew to everyone who has been so generous, and especially each of you — you are the best fans in the world».
Below is an overview of James' battle with cancer and his current condition.
James is living with stage 3 colon cancer, which he revealed in November 2024.
«I have been dealing with this diagnosis privately and taking steps to address it, with the support of my incredible family», - he told People at the time. «There are reasons to be optimistic, and I am doing well».
The actor admitted that he «always associated cancer with age and an unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle», - but learned that this is not always the case.
«But I was in great cardiovascular shape», - James pointed out. «I tried to eat healthy — or at least as I knew at the time. … Then the gastroenterologist said — in the nicest way possible — that it was cancer. I think I went into shock».
Colon cancer can be treated surgically, but it needs to be detected early. Such operations include polypectomy to remove cancerous polyps, partial colectomy to remove part of the colon, radiofrequency ablation — using heat to destroy cancer cells — and chemotherapy, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
In July 2025, James said on Today that he «feels great», - although it has been «a journey».
«There are so many ups and downs and so much unknown», - noted the «Varsity Blues» star. «Cancer — I call it a full-time job … It’s a process. Maybe it will be a lifelong process».
Two months later, James had to miss a personal charity event for Dawson’s Creek at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York due to two stomach viruses. Lin-Manuel Miranda was his understudy, and James' wife and children were in the audience on his behalf.
However, James surprised fans by appearing virtually to thank fans and his colleagues from Dawson’s Creek.
«Thank you for coming. It’s just absolutely humbling how much you have done for this evening, and I just want to say thank you», - he said. «Thank you to everyone here»
© Puhova Marina
