James Van Der Beek's Quiet Battle with Colorectal Cancer

James Van Der Beek, known for his role as Dawson Leery in the hit teen drama "Dawson's Creek, " has been keeping a significant health challenge private. The 47-year-old actor has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. A spokesperson for Van Der Beek confirmed the news to The Times. In a candid conversation with People, Van Der Beek shared that he has been quietly dealing with this diagnosis. Despite the challenge, he remains optimistic about his prognosis and is taking the necessary steps to address his health. "There's reason for optimism, and I'm feeling good, " he expressed, showing a positive outlook. Van Der Beek is not only remembered for his role in "Dawson's Creek" but also for his humorous portrayal of himself in the sitcom "Don’t Trust the B— in Apartment 23. " In this show, he plays a character known as "The Beek From the Creek, " a nod to his earlier fame. In a 2012 interview with The Times, he discussed the importance of maintaining a healthy perspective as an artist, emphasizing the need to keep one's ego in check. Married to Kimberly, Van Der Beek is a loving father to their six children. His upcoming projects include a Tubi romance movie titled "Sidelined: The QB and Me" and a TV special called "The Real Full Monty. " In this special, Van Der Beek joins other celebrities in a strip tease to raise awareness about prostate, testicular, and colorectal cancer testing and research. The actor's spokesperson confirmed his diagnosis, and his future projects reflect his commitment to both his craft and raising awareness for crucial health issues.