James Van Der Beek has been a familiar face in Hollywood for over thirty years, starring in hits like Dawson’s Creek and Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23. Off-screen, he has faced a serious battle. For more than two years, the actor has been fighting stage 3 colorectal cancer. He has openly shared updates about his health, inspiring fans with his courage and honesty.
On September 22, 2025, James made a surprise virtual appearance at a Dawson’s Creek reunion charity event. Fans and co-stars were thrilled to see him, even if only online. The event, held in New York, aimed to raise money for a cancer organization and honor James. He had planned to attend in person but had to cancel due to two stomach viruses. James expressed that he felt “gutted” to miss the event and thanked everyone who organized it, as well as the fans who attended. His wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, represented him at the reunion and shared an emotional message on Instagram, calling it a “healing” experience and posting a picture with the Dawson’s Creek cast.
James was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in August 2023, at the age of 46. He had no family history of the disease and considered himself healthy and active, making the diagnosis a shock. He initially kept the illness private, relying on mental strength and support from his family to fight the disease. The recent stomach viruses prevented him from traveling to the reunion, even though he was eager to reconnect with fans and co-stars.
His cancer journey began with minor bowel irregularities in the summer of 2023. At first, he tried adjusting his diet, removing coffee, but when symptoms persisted, he saw a doctor and underwent a colonoscopy. Learning he had stage 3 cancer left him feeling terrified and emotional. He described himself as a “sobbing, terrified mess” at the time. Over time, he reframed the diagnosis as a moment of redirection, seeing it as an opportunity for positive life changes.
