James Van Der Beek Opens Up About Telling His Kids About His Cancer Diagnosis
James Van Der Beek prioritizes openness regarding his cancer journey, particularly concerning his children.
“I’m no expert, but we opted for utmost honesty, tailored to their understanding. They are aware,” Van Der Beek, 48, shared during his appearance on Today on Wednesday, July 30, discussing how he and his wife Kimberly Van Der Beek informed their six kids about his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis.
The couple has four daughters: Olivia, 14, Annabel, 11, Emilia, 9, and Gwendolyn, 6, and two sons: Joshua, 13, and Jeremiah, 2.
James noted that his children can “pick up on when Dad is having a rough day.”
“They can recognize if Dad is in pain. They’re aware; and by not sharing, I think it only adds to their confusion,” he elaborated.
The Dawson’s Creek star encouraged parents dealing with similar situations to let their children provide emotional support, noting that kids can handle much more than adults expect.
“By explaining what you’re experiencing and the steps you’re taking, they can see and feel it, which makes their journey intertwined with yours,” he remarked. “I have kids making me tea, asking, ‘Dad, what do you need?’ Despite the circumstances, there’s been a lot of beauty from this, and I wish everyone could avoid this journey, which is why I encourage screenings.”
James was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in August 2023, but he only publicly shared his diagnosis in November 2024.
“Every year, roughly 2 billion people worldwide get this diagnosis. I’m one of them,” he shared in an Instagram post, indicating that he was “in a good place and feeling strong” amid treatment.
In an interview with People, James revealed that his cancer had progressed to stage 3.
“I have been privately managing this diagnosis and taking necessary steps to address it, with the support of my amazing family,” he said. “There’s hope, and I feel good.”
James likened the fight against cancer to maintaining a “full-time job,” given the scheduling of appointments, tracking test outcomes, and dealing with insurance.
He reiterated this in an interview with Today.com, adding that his cancer experience is a “process” he might navigate “for the rest of my life.”
However, James expressed that he finds relief in work. He is set to star in Prime Video’s upcoming series Elle, a Legally Blonde prequel about high school Elle Woods (originally played by Reese Witherspoon, who is the show’s producer).
“The best part about working is that cancer doesn’t exist between action and cut,” he shared. “It was enjoyable to immerse myself in the project because it features such a talented cast and crew.”
Overall, Van Der Beek reported that he’s “feeling great” and urged others to adhere to colon cancer screening recommendations.
“Even minor changes could signal something important, but don’t assume that a lack of symptoms means you can skip screenings, especially for a condition that’s highly treatable when detected early,” he emphasized. “That’s the message I want to convey. I maintained a healthy diet and was in excellent cardiovascular shape; I had no reason to believe I would receive a positive diagnosis.”
