James Van Der Beek Says Cancer Became the Most Life-Changing Moment of His Life

James Van Der Beek is speaking openly about his battle with cancer and how it deeply changed him. In a recent interview, the Dawson’s Creek star shared emotional details about his diagnosis and recovery.

The 48-year-old actor revealed that he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer after a routine colonoscopy. He said the news came as a shock, especially as he was waking up from anesthesia. Despite the fear, Van Der Beek says his mindset shifted almost immediately.

James Van Der Beek Cancer | Health | Illness

He explained that a small voice inside him told him the diagnosis would be the best thing to ever happen to him. According to Van Der Beek, cancer forced him to slow down and make changes he would never have made otherwise.

Since his diagnosis, he has paid closer attention to his health, diet, and daily habits. He said the experience taught him patience, discipline, and strength he didn’t know he had.

One of the biggest lessons, he shared, was learning self-love. Van Der Beek said he realized he was still worthy of love—his own, his family’s, and God’s love—even during his weakest moments.

The actor also credited his wife, Kimberly, and their six children for supporting him through the toughest days. He said their love helped him stay hopeful and focused on healing.

Van Der Beek first shared his cancer diagnosis publicly in November 2024. At the time, he said he had been getting treatment privately and was feeling strong. Since then, he has continued to update fans and express gratitude for their support.

Although cancer disrupted his career plans, including missing a Dawson’s Creek reunion, Van Der Beek said seeing fans cheer for his family was one of the most emotional moments of his life.

Today, he says he feels better with each passing month. While the journey has been difficult, Van Der Beek believes it added meaning, clarity, and purpose to his life.

Who is James Van Der Beek?

James David Van Der Beek is an American actor best known for playing Dawson Leery on Dawson’s Creek (1998–2003). He also portrayed a fictionalized version of himself on Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23 (2012–2013), starred as FBI Agent Elijah Mundo on CSI: Cyber (2015–2016), and appeared as Matt Bromley on FX’s Pose (2018).

He was born to Melinda, a dancer and gymnastics teacher, and James William Van Der Beek, a cellular phone executive and former minor league baseball pitcher, he has Dutch, German, English, Scots-Irish, and French ancestry. His surname, Van Der Beek, means “from the creek” in Dutch.

Quick Personal Facts

James Van Der Beek Movies and TV Shows

James Van Der Beek became famous for playing Dawson Leery in Dawson’s Creek. The teen drama aired from 1998 to 2003 on The WB. The show ran for six seasons and made him a household name. He starred alongside Katie Holmes and Michelle Williams.

During the same period, he appeared in several popular films. He acted in the football drama Varsity Blues in 1999. The movie was a box office hit and earned him an MTV Movie Award. He also starred in Texas Rangers and The Rules of Attraction.

Van Der Beek made memorable comedic appearances as well. He had fun cameos in Scary Movie and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. These roles showed his ability to handle comedy and satire. Later, he reinvented his image on television. He played an exaggerated version of himself on Apartment 23. The role became a cult favorite and earned praise from fans.

He continued with serious and diverse roles afterward. He played FBI agent Elijah Mundo on CSI: Cyber. He also appeared as Matt Bromley in the first season of Pose. Van Der Beek explored creative projects and voice acting too. He co-created and starred in What Would Diplo Do?. He voiced characters in the animated series Vampirina.

In recent years, he has remained active in film and television. He appeared in Bad Hair and Sidelined: The QB and Me. His career shows steady growth and lasting versatility.

James Van Der Beek Wife | Kids 

James Van Der Beek has been happily married to Kimberly Van Der Beek, whose maiden name is Brook, since August 1, 2010. She works as a producer and business consultant. The couple met in Israel in 2009, shortly after James divorced his first wife, Heather McComb.

In 2025, James and Kimberly celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary. They marked the occasion with loving posts on Instagram, sharing their appreciation for each other. Their relationship has often been described as strong and supportive.

In 2020, the family moved from Los Angeles to a ranch in Texas. They wanted more space, privacy, and a calmer family-focused lifestyle. The move allowed them to raise their children away from Hollywood pressure.

James and Kimberly share six children together. Their daughters are Olivia, born in September 2010; Annabel, born in January 2014; Emilia, born in March 2016; and Gwendolyn, born in June 2018. They also have two sons, Joshua, born in March 2012, and Jeremiah, born in October 2021.

Kimberly has been a constant source of strength during James’ health journey. He was diagnosed privately with colorectal cancer in 2023 and shared the news publicly in 2024. Throughout treatment, Kimberly and the children have remained closely involved and supportive.

The family often shares happy moments online, including holidays, costumes, and public events. When James has been unwell, his children have even represented him at appearances. Their bond has become an important part of his recovery story.

James Van Der Beek Net Worth

James Van Der Beek’s net worth in late 2025 is most commonly estimated at around $3 million. This figure is reported by well-known and regularly updated sources. These include Celebrity Net Worth, Parade, and other recent entertainment finance reports.

The lower estimate reflects his career after his peak teen idol years. While he earned strong paychecks during Dawson’s Creek, his later roles were steady but not blockbuster. He continued acting in TV, films, and voice work, but without major long-term franchise income.

Some outlets suggest higher estimates between $6 million and $8 million. These claims are based on possible past earnings and real estate holdings. Reports mention a rented Beverly Hills home and a Texas ranch. However, these figures are not fully confirmed.

FAQs

Did James Van Der Beek celebrate Halloween in 2025?

Yes, despite his ongoing cancer battle, James Van Der Beek and his family went all out for Halloween 2025. His wife Kimberly shared photos of the group in elaborate costumes—James dressed as the Phantom of the Opera (with a tuxedo and white mask), while the six kids had fun themes like a fox and the Statue of Liberty. He even used a golf cart for trick-or-treating with the little ones.

What is the James Van Der Beek crying meme?

The iconic “Dawson crying” meme comes from a dramatic close-up scene in Dawson’s Creek Season 3 finale where his character Dawson Leery ugly-cries intensely. It went viral as a reaction GIF for overwhelming emotions and has been recreated by James himself in sketches—he loves it and calls it his favorite part of the show.

What is James Van Der Beek’s cancer prognosis?

James was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in 2023 (publicly revealed in 2024) and has described it as a lifelong process he’s managing with treatments. As of late 2025, he’s in a “healing phase,” feeling positive, appreciating life more deeply, and calling the diagnosis a “gift” that brought perspective—though he notes it’ll likely be ongoing.

Who was James Van Der Beek’s first wife?

James’s first wife was actress Heather McComb (known for roles in Party of Five and Profiler). They married in 2003 after meeting earlier and divorced amicably in 2010 with no children together.

What kind of cancer does James Van Der Beek have?

James Van Der Beek has stage 3 colorectal cancer (also referred to as colon cancer), diagnosed in summer 2023 after noticing irregular bowel movements.

How old is James Van Der Beek?

James Van Der Beek was born on March 8, 1977, making him 48 years old as of December 2025.

Was James Van Der Beek on The Masked Singer?

Yes, in 2025 James competed on Season 13 of The Masked Singer as the “Griffin” (a costume with spreading wings). He showcased his singing talents, called it an “escape” during his cancer treatment, and was eliminated in the Group B Finals—his family joined him onstage for the reveal.