James Van Der Beek, best known for playing Dawson Leery in Dawson’s Creek, has been battling cancer for at least a year. When he skipped an in-person charity event with his former co-stars from The WB series, fans were concerned about James’ health.
“I have been looking forward to this night for months and months ever since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together,” James said in a surprise pre-recorded clip at the September 2025 Dawson’s Creek charity event in New York City. “I can’t believe I’m not there. I can’t believe I don’t get to see my castmates, my beautiful cast in person. … And just I want to stand on that stage and thank every single person in the theater for being here tonight. From the cast to the crew to everybody who’s doing anything and has been so generous, and especially every single last one of you – you are the best fans in the world.”
Below, News47.us has the rundown of James’ cancer battle and current condition.
James is living with stage 3 colorectal cancer, he revealed in November 2024.
“I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family,” he told People at the time. “There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good.”
The actor admitted he “always associated cancer with age and with unhealthy, sedentary lifestyles” but learned that isn’t always the case.
