James Van Der Beek has colon cancer
James Van Der Beek has been in front of the camera since the 1980s and has appeared on TV time and again since then. But now the actor is making headlines with a shocking diagnosis.
“I have colon cancer,” James Van Der Beek confirmed to the American “People” magazine, making his diagnosis public.
At the same time, the 47-year-old gives reason for hope: “I have dealt with this diagnosis privately and taken steps to overcome it – with the support of my incredible family.”
His family includes his wife Kimberly. The couple met on a trip to Israel in 2009 and married in 2010.
Their first child was born that same year. Daughter Olivia is now 14 years old. James and Kimberly Van Der Beek also have other children: Joshua, Annabel Leah, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah.
The diagnosis of colon cancer is not the first blow of fate for the family. In 2019 and 2020, James Van Der Beek and his wife mourned their two unborn babies. Kimberly Van Der Beek suffered her first miscarriage five years ago. The actor spoke about it in the American “Let’s Dance” edition of “Dancing With the Stars”. Shortly afterwards, she became pregnant again, but lost this child too – in the 17th week of pregnancy.
“I feel good”
Now James Van Der Beek is battling cancer. Colon cancer often causes no pain for a long time and is often only detected late. Tumors in the colon usually develop unnoticed.
The actor does not talk about his health, but is confident. “There is reason for optimism and I feel good,” he told “People” magazine.
James Van Der Beek became famous alongside Katie Holmes. They starred together in “Dawson’s Creek” and became stars overnight in the late 1990s. After 5 years and 122 episodes, the teen series was canceled in 2003. But James Van Der Beek continued working in the TV industry even after the series ended.
