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James Van Der Beek Reflects on Coming 'Nose to Nose With Death' During the 'Hardest Year' of His Life Amid Stage 3 Cancer Battle: Watch

Photo of James Van Der Beek.
Source: MEGA

James Van Der Beek was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in 2024.

March 15 2025, Published 11:19 a.m. ET

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James Van Der Beek is reflecting on his difficult last year after being diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in 2024.

In a new social media video, the Dawson’s Creek actor, 48, discussed how his health struggles caused him to question his self-worth and how his health affected his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their kids, Olivia, 14, Annabel, 11, Emilia, 8, Gwendolyn, 6, Joshua, 13, and Jeremiah, 2.

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“It has been the hardest year of my life and I wanted to share something that I learned with y’all,” he admitted in a clip posted for his 48th birthday.

“When I was younger I used to define myself as an actor, which was never really all that fulfilling. And then I became a husband and that was much better. And then I became a father and that was the ultimate,” the Labor Day alum added.

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james van der beek death hardest year stage  cancer battle watch
Source: @vanderjames/Instagram

'What I got from my 48th trip around the sun,' James Van Der Beek captioned the video where he discussed his cancer battle.

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James explained that he has defined himself as a “loving, capable, strong, supportive husband, father, provider, steward of the land,” but cancer almost took that from him.

“And then this year, I had to look my own mortality in the eye. I came nose to nose with death,” he explained. “All of those definitions that I cared so deeply about were stripped from me. I was away for treatment so I could no longer be a husband who was helpful to my wife. I could no longer be a father who could pick up his kids and put them to bed and be there for them."

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james van der beek death hardest year stage  cancer battle watch
Source: @vanderjames/Instagram

'I could not be a provider because I wasn’t working,' James Van Der Beek said of taking a break from acting due to his health.

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“I could not be a provider because I wasn’t working. I couldn’t even be a steward of the land because at times I was too weak to prune all the trees during the window that you’re supposed to prune them,” the star — who revealed his cancer diagnosis in November 2024 — continued.

James noted that his health woes caused him to ask himself, “Who am I?”

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james van der beek death hardest year stage  cancer battle watch
Source: MEGA

James Van Der Beek said he 'could no longer be a husband who was helpful to my wife' amid his cancer battle this year.

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“So I was faced with the question that if I was just here to be a too-skinny, weak guy, alone, in an apartment with cancer, what am I?” the father-of-six shared.

After the tough last few months, the celeb accepted that he is still worthy of self-love despite not being able to be the best father and husband due to his illness.

“I meditated and the answer came through. I am worthy of God’s love, simply because I exist. And if I’m worthy of God’s love, shouldn’t I be worthy of my own?” he concluded.

James captioned the emotional upload, “What I got from my 48th trip around the sun.”

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