James Van Der Beek Expresses Gratitude to Dawson’s Creek Fans for Heartfelt Standing Ovation at Reunion: ‘I Found My Worth’
Craig Melvin and James Van Der Beek.
Credit :
Craig Melvin/instagram
James Van Der Beek Expresses Gratitude in Recent Interview Amid Cancer Battle
In a heartfelt conversation on the December 19 edition of Today, actor James Van Der Beek reflected on his ongoing journey with stage 3 colon cancer. The interview, which was pre-taped at his family ranch in Texas, showcased Van Der Beek’s positive spirit as he expressed appreciation for the support he has received.
Van Der Beek, 48, shared his disappointment about missing a reunion of the Dawson’s Creek cast, an event organized as a benefit for his cancer treatment. Due to a stomach bug, he was unable to attend but encouraged family members to go in his place. “As crushed as I was not being able to go to that Dawson’s Creek reunion, my family got to go," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "And they got a standing ovation just for taking their seats. All that love that would have otherwise been directed at me, was directed at my family. It was just one of the most beautiful moments I’ve ever gotten to witness. I’m just so grateful to the fans for doing that."
The actor also spoke candidly about the lessons he has learned from living with cancer, emphasizing the enduring support he feels from his fans. "What I realized was is I’m still worthy of love — my own love, God’s love," he remarked. He expressed how meaningful it is when fans tell him, "I’m praying for you."
This interview marked a rare appearance for Van Der Beek, who announced his cancer diagnosis in November 2024. He is a father of six—Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, and Jeremiah—with his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek. Van Der Beek had intended to appear on Today earlier in the month but postponed due to a case of pink eye.
Craig Melvin, co-host of Today, shared images from their interview on Instagram, captioning, “Spent the day in TX on James Van Der Beek’s ranch.” He described Van Der Beek as a "ray of positivity," noting that their conversation touched on his health journey and the importance of cancer screenings.
Van Der Beek last updated his fans about his health in July, stating, "I’m feeling great. It’s been a journey. There are just so many ups and downs and so many unknowns. Cancer is — I call it a full-time job … It’s a process. It’ll probably be a process for the rest of my life.”
