James Van Der Beek Feeling ‘Much Better’ After Weight Loss Worried Fans at ‘Dawson’s Creek’ Reunion

James Van Der Beek assured fans he feels “much better than I did a couple months ago” in a new interview with Today, where he addressed his ongoing cancer battle and recent concerns about his appearance.

Back in September, Van Der Beek — who was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer last year — was supposed to appear at a benefit event for the F Cancer Organization, where he and his old Dawson’s Creek castmates would reunite and read the show’s pilot script. Van Der Beek was forced to drop out at the last minute due to a stomach bug and sent in a pre-recorded video message instead. 

When Today’s Craig Melvin noted that many fans were “worried” about his gaunt appearance in the clip, Van Der Beek replied, “I’d lost so much weight because of the stomach virus, yeah. No, it was not cancer related. Although with cancer everything’s like, ‘Why don’t we super size that stomach virus?’”

While Van Der Beek is still undergoing cancer treatment (he declined to give specifics), he insisted he was feeling much better than he was in September. “It’s been a longer journey than I ever thought it would be,” he said. “It’s required more of me — more patience, more discipline, more strength than I knew I had. I knew I was strong. I didn’t know I was this strong. But I feel good.”

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Van Der Beek also spoke about the incredible reception his family got when they attended the Dawson’s Creek reunion in his place. “I was Zooming in on that night, and they got a standing ovation just for taking their seats,” he said. “And all that love that would have otherwise been directed at me, was directed at my family. It was just one of the most beautiful moments I’ve ever gotten to witness. I’m just so grateful to the fans for doing that.”

Even as he’s been undergoing cancer treatment, Van Der Beek has continued to work. This year, he appeared on a couple of episodes of Overcompensating, and he recently wrapped filming on Elle, the Legally Blonde prequel series, which is set to premiere next year.