James Van Der Beek insists his concerning weight loss was ‘not cancer-related’ after missing ‘Dawson’s Creek’ reunion

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James Van Der Beek addressed concern over his recent weight loss in a new “Today” show interview.

The actor insisted to Craig Melvin on Friday that his slimmed-down virtual appearance at September’s “Dawson’s Creek” reunion, which went viral, was “not cancer-related.”

The “Varsity Blues” star, 48, blamed his gaunt look on a stomach virus.

James Van Der Beek addressed his recent weight loss in a “Today” show interview Friday. @craigmelvinnbc/Instagram
On Friday, Craig Melvin asked about the actor’s slimmed-down look in September, noting fans were “worried.” @craigmelvinnbc/Instagram

“I had lost so much weight because of the stomach virus, yeah,” Van Der Beek said when the journalist pointed out fans had been “worried.”

However, the “Pose” alum clarified, “Although with cancer, everything is like, ‘Why don’t we super size that stomach virus?'”

Van Der Beek went public with his colorectal cancer diagnosis on in November 2024, nearly one year after receiving the news himself.

Van Der Beek, pictured above in September, clarified that his gaunt appearance was “not cancer-related.” backtoyoubobpod/Instagram
Instead, the “Dawson’s Creek” alum blamed a stomach virus during Friday’s sitdown. @craigmelvinnbc/Instagram

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“There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good,” he said at the time.

While the “Pose” alum did not give a detailed update on his prognosis during Friday’s interview, he called himself “a little bit better every month.”

He noted, “It’s required more of me, more patience, more discipline, more strength than I knew I had. I knew I was strong, but I didn’t know I was this strong.”

Van Der Beek, pictured above in September, acknowledged that cancer “super size[d]” the bug. backtoyoubobpod/Instagram
“I lost so much weight,” the “Pose” alum, pictured above in May, confirmed. The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images

Last month, James’ wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, wrote in an Instagram comment that her partner is “bouncing back.”

The 43-year-old quipped that her husband is a “wizard.”

The couple have been married since 2010 and share six children — Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 11, Emilia, 9, Gwendolyn, 7, and Jeremiah, 4.

Van Der Beek, pictured above in 2024, was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in August 2023. Getty Images
The six-time dad, pictured above in 2022, went public with the news the following year. vanderjames/Instagram

Kimberly and the little ones attended the “Dawson’s Creek” reunion in his place earlier this year — and James teared up reflecting on the standing ovation they received from fans “just for taking their seats.”

“As crushed as I was to not be able to go … all the love that would have been directed at me was directed at my family,” James said Friday.

“That was one of the most beautiful moments I’ve ever witnessed,” he continued, crediting Kimberly with saving his life and calling their kids “resilient.”

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