James Van Der Beek diagnosed with colorectal cancer
James Van Der Beek and two of his children attend Operation Smiles 11th annual Celebrity Ski & Smile Challenge on April 01, 2023 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images for Operation Smile)
Actor James Van Der Beek has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, he told People magazine in an interview.
The "Dawson’s Creek" and "Varsity Blues" star said he’s "been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family."
"There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good," Van Der Beek, 47, added.
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Van Der Beek is still active in Hollywood: He recently appeared on an episode of "Walker" and stars in "Sidelined: The QB and Me," a Tubi film out Nov. 29, according to People.
In December, Van Der Beek will be featured in "The Real Full Monty," a two-hour special to raise awareness for prostate, testicular, and colorectal cancer testing and research. Actor Taye Diggs, Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones and longtime Dancing with the Stars judge Bruno Tonioli will also appear on the special.
"Once we got there and we really started to talk about these issues, everyone started opening up and we got to know each other on a different level," Diggs recently told People about the special.
Van Der Beek and his wife Kimberly have six children.