James Van Der Beek explains why he missed Today show appearance due to cancer diagnosis

James Van Der Beek missed his planned appearance on the Today show on Friday morning. The actor, best known for his role in Dawsons Creek, was expected to discuss his cancer experience in an exclusive interview, according to NBCUniversal News Group.

Van Der Beek was diagnosed with stage three colorectal cancer in November 2024. Later that day, he addressed his absence on Instagram, sharing a photo with his daughter.

He captioned the post: Tell me you have kids without telling me you have kids. Having to postpone a @today show appearance because of pink eye.

Van Der Beek shares six children with his wife Kimberly: daughters Olivia, 15, Annabel, 11, Emilia, 9, Gwendolyn, 6, and sons Joshua, 13, and Jeremiah, 2.

He added: Sorry @today @craigmelvinnbc for having to push. Pink eye(s) almost cleared up. See you Dec. 17. Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, is highly contagious but treatable, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Van Der Beek first revealed his cancer diagnosis in an interview with People magazine, saying, I have colorectal cancer. Ive been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family. Theres reason for optimism, and Im feeling good.

Colorectal cancer originates in the colon or rectum, parts of the large intestine. Last month, Kimberly Van Der Beek noted her husband was bouncing back in a comment on a photo of him wearing his Varsity Blues jersey from 1999.

The actor, famous for playing Dawson Leery from 1998 to 2003, recently missed a live cast reunion due to illness. He made a virtual appearance, thanking fans for supporting a fundraising event organized by Michelle Williams.

Van Der Beeks last Today show appearance was in July, where he spoke about his cancer journey and emphasized the importance of colorectal cancer screenings, noting that he had no warning signs prior to his diagnosis. The American Cancer Society recommends regular screenings starting at age 45 for average-risk individuals, with earlier screenings for those at higher risk.

Author: Noah Whitman