James Van Der Beek was an open book when it came to the reality of battling cancer.
The "Dawson's Creek" star died on Wednesday, Feb. 11, after being diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2023. He was 48. The news was shared in a statement on the actor's Instagram page, which said he "met his final days with courage, faith, and grace."
Since announcing his diagnosis, Van Der Beek had discussed his cancer battle in numerous interviews and television appearances and said he hoped his story would inspire others to get screened.
Van Der Beek initially revealed to People magazine in November 2024 that he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer the previous August. Here's what the actor has said:
"I think I went into shock a little bit," he recalled in his 2024 interview with People, adding, "There's a part of me that felt like maybe I wanted to break down and fall apart, but then a more logical part came in and said, 'Well, you just don't have the information yet.'"
