Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek has opened up about his health after a recent video of the actor left fans concerned.
The actor surprised fans with a video appearance at a Dawson’s Creek cast reunion in September, after he was unable to attend due to his health.
Speaking to Craig Melvin in an interview for US Today, Van Der Beek reflected on the concern surrounding the way he looked.
Melvin commented that when the video was played at the event, “a lot of folks were worried”.
Van Der Beek, who revealed in November 2024 that he had been diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer, had come down with a stomach virus, which left him very unwell.
Speaking to Melvin, he clarified that his appearance was not related to the cancer but rather the effects of the stomach illness.
“I’d lost so much weight because of the stomach virus yeah,” Van Der Beek explained.
“No, it was not cancer-related. Although with cancer, everything’s like, ‘Why don’t we super-size that stomach virus?'”
While Van Der Beek wasn’t able to attend the fan event, he was thrilled that his family was there.
“As crushed as I was to not be able to go to that Dawson’s Creek reunion, my family got to go. And I was zooming in from a link on that night and they got a standing ovation just for taking their seats,” Van Der Beek recalled, smiling.
“And all the love that would have otherwise been directed at me, was directed at my family and that was one of the most beautiful moments I’ve ever gotten to witness. I’m just so grateful to the fans for doing that.”
The event was a charity event, held in Van Der Beek’s honour and to support F cancer.
In his video message to those in attendance, he said: ”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,” per People.
“Thank you for coming. It’s just absolutely humbling just how much you did for this night, and I just want to say thank you,” he added.
Van Der Beek revealed his shock cancer diagnosis to People last year.
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