Why James Van Der Beek Told His Kids He Has Cancer

• James Van Der Beek announced his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis in November 2024.
• He and his wife Kimberly have six children, all of whom they told about the diagnosis.
• Van Der Beek emphasized honesty and emotional safety in communicating with his kids.
• The actor says the experience helped strip away distractions and bring the family closer.
• Support systems including therapy helped the children process the news appropriately.

James Van Der Beek, best known for his starring role in Dawson’s Creek, has shared the emotional moment he told his children about his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis. The 48-year-old actor revealed the news in November 2024 and recently opened up in a heartfelt interview about how honesty became essential when navigating the illness with his family.

Speaking with People magazine, Van Der Beek explained, “Kids are intuitive. They know if something’s off. They know if Dad’s in pain, so I didn’t want to hide it.” He added, “When we sat them james-van-der-beek-kids-reactions-cancer-diagnosis-rcna221924 down, we kept it simple. We told them, ‘Dad’s sick. The doctors found something in his body that they need to take out.”

The actor said the decision to be transparent came from a desire to protect his children from uncertainty. “What’s scary for a kid isn’t the truth—it’s feeling like something’s wrong and not knowing what it is,” he emphasized.

He Shares Six Kids with His Wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek

Van Der Beek and his wife, Kimberly, are parents to six children: Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, and Jeremiah. The couple, who moved from Los Angeles to Texas in 2020 seeking a more grounded life, have always prioritized open communication within their family dynamic. This approach played a pivotal role in how they handled the actor’s diagnosis at home.

Kimberly, who has been vocal about the family’s health journey on social media, stood by her husband throughout treatment. “James is the strongest man I know,” she wrote on Instagram in December 2024. “His courage and willingness to face this for himself—and for our kids—has changed how I see love.”

Despite the challenges, Van Der Beek says the illness brought unexpected clarity. “When something like this hits, you stop worrying about nonsense. It reminds you what matters: presence, laughter, time together.”

“I have kids making me tea. ‘Dad, what do you need?’ There’s been a lot of beauty that’s come out of it, but I would love to save everybody this journey, which is why I’m saying get screened,” said Van Der Beek.

The Actor Reflected on How He Told His Kids About His Diagnosis in a New Interview

In a recent sit-down with Today’s Hoda Kotb, Van Der Beek spoke candidly about his initial reaction after receiving the diagnosis. “There’s that moment of panic—what happens if I’m not here?” he said. “But after that came this calm responsibility: How do I help my kids walk through this with love and without fear?”

He explained that his youngest children were given simpler versions of the truth, while the older ones received a more direct explanation. “Each of them took it differently. My 13-year-old had the hardest time. But she’s also been one of the most supportive.”

The actor also credited therapy and family counseling as vital tools in the process. “We didn’t want to shield them from reality, but we wanted to give them tools to process it,” he shared.

Also Read | Craig Melvin Donated Blood to Save Al Roker’s Life