In a surprising announcement, popular American actor James Van Der Beek shared that he has been diagnosed with cancer, leaving fans shocked. He disclosed this news to People magazine and shortly after, he took to social media to address his fans and offer an apology for the sudden revelation.
In a reel video posted on Instagram, James Van Der Beek began by officially confirming, “It is cancer…” He reflected on the fact that approximately 2 billion people worldwide receive this diagnosis each year, counting himself among them. Van Der Beek explained that he didn’t intend to break the news so abruptly. He felt compelled to do so because another media outlet was preparing to release the information and he wanted to share it on his own terms, as he had initially planned to collaborate with People magazine to raise awareness about his journey.
Following the confirmation, James offered a message of reassurance to his fans who have expressed concern for his health. He continued saying that he is in a better place and receiving the right care. “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,” he shared. He mentioned that this experience has been quite the initiation for him and promised to share more details when he is ready.
James also took a moment to apologize, stating, “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.” He ended his message with gratitude, saying, “Please know that my family and I deeply appreciate all the love and support.”
James Van Der Beek is best known for playing Dawson Leery on the classic teen drama Dawson’s Creek, which ran from 1998 to 2003. He has been in the acting industry for over thirty years and has featured in various shows such as CSI: Cyber, Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23, Pose and more. Recently, he made a guest appearance on Walker and is expected to star in the Tubi movie Sidelined: The QB and Me later this month.
On the personal front, James is married to Kimberley, a business consultant and they have six kids together.
