James Van Der Beek Opens Up About Cancer's Devastating Impact on His Family

James Van Der Beek is reflecting on the hardest year of his life.

On his 48th birthday, the Dawson’s Creek alum spoke out about how his battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer, which he first revealed last year, has affected his marriage to Kimberly Van Der Beek as well as the lives of their six kids—Olivia, 14, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 11, Emilia, 8, Gwendolyn, 6, Jeremiah, 2.

“Today’s my birthday, and it has been the hardest year of my life,” James said in a selfie video shared on his Instagram March 8. “When I was younger, I used to define myself as an actor, right Which was never really all that fulfilling. And then I became a husband, and that was much better. And then I became a father, and that was the ultimate.”

The Varsity Blues star, who married Kimberly in 2010, continued, “I could define myself then as a loving, capable, strong, supportive husband, father, provider, steward of the land that we’re so lucky to live on. And for a long time, that felt like a really good definition to the question, ‘Who am I? What am I?’ And then this year, I had to look my own mortality in the eye.”

James revealed last November that he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2023.

“I had to come nose to nose with death,” he continued. “And all of those definitions that I cared so deeply about were stripped from me. I was away for treatment, so I could no longer be a husband that was helpful to my wife. I could no longer be a father who could pick up his kids and put them to bed and be there for them. I could not be a provider because I wasn’t working.”

The individual residing with his loved ones on a ranch close to Austin, Texas, admitted that he found it challenging to fulfill the role as a caretaker of the land due to occasional bouts of weakness that hindered him from trimming trees.

James also thanked his fans for their support.

“As I move through this healing portal toward recovery, I wanted to share that with you because I think that revelation that came to me was due in no small part to all the prayers and the love that had been directed toward me. So I offer that to you, however it sits in your consciousness, however it resonates—run with it.”

He went on to say, “In that situation, I found myself pondering this dilemma: If I’m a frail, feeble man living in an apartment battling cancer all by myself, who exactly am I?

Amid his health battle, James has leaned on support from his loved ones as well as his faith.

He said that an answer came to him after meditating. He believes he’s deserving of God’s love just by existing, and if he deserves God’s love, then he should also deserve his own love. Similarly, this applies to you too.

James also thanked his fans for their support.

He continued, “And if the word ‘God’ trips you up, I certainly don’t know, I can’t claim to know what God is or explain God. My efforts to connect to God are an ongoing process that is a constant unfolding mystery to me. But if it’s a trigger, it feels too religious, you can take the word ‘God’ out and your mantra can simply be, ‘I am worthy of love.’ Because you are.”

He added, “Thank you for the love and prayers, everyone. Have a blessed day.”

Read on for more stars who have been candid about cancer battles…

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These days, the man from Scotland is managing quite well following the removal of a suspicious mole located under his right eye, which was found to be cancerous.

The singer beat breast cancer in 2004 with a “minimally invasive” lumpectomy and radiation therapy.

The Oscar winner declared in early 2011 that his tumor was gone and he had throat cancer “beat.”

The Emmy winner whacked breast cancer in 2004.

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The Australian pop star underwent successful surgery for breast cancer in 2005.

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In 2009, the actress had to step down from her role in “Parenthood” due to breast cancer, but she bravely fought it and soon returned to the spotlight on the red carpet.

The America’s Got Talent judge was diagnosed with colon cancer while shooting The Osbournes in 2002 and used the opportunity to stress the importance of regular screenings while attacking the #@%! with chemotherapy. She was declared cancer-free the following year.

In 2003, the individual who won an Oscar battled prostate cancer all the way to Chinatown. Since then, this person has appeared in approximately 400 different films.

The Good Morning America cohost proudly flaunted her smooth scalp while undergoing chemotherapy to treat breast cancer in 2007.

The cycling champion overcame stage four testicular cancer and went on to win an impressive seven consecutive Tour de France races.

After successfully overcoming breast cancer through a lumpectomy and chemotherapy in 2005, the Grammy and Oscar winner turned into an inspiring activist.

Previously, a standout on Saturday Night Live, she drew upon her own experience with breast cancer and converted it into the hit one-person show titled God Said Ha!, which ultimately made its way to Broadway.

In 2006, the actress who played a prominent role in “Sex and the City” was diagnosed with breast cancer. Following surgical and radiotherapy procedures, she received the all-clear.

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2025-03-15 22:21

James Van Der Beek Opens Up About Cancer’s Devastating Impact on His Family

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