Originally appeared on E! Online
James Van Der Beek is getting candid about working amid his cancer journey.
The Dawson’s Creek star shared how working on Legally Blonde prequel series Elle has helped him to find peace as he battles stage 3 colorectal cancer.
“The greatest thing about work is cancer doesn’t exist between action and cut,” James told Today in an interview published July 30. “It was fun to drop in and just have a blast because it’s such a great cast, a great production, and everybody out there is really talented.”
That’s why being on-set doesn’t feel like work for the 48-year-old. Instead, James considers living with cancer, which he was diagnosed with in 2023 and publicly announced in 2024, his “full time job,” as he’s had to work to “take things a little bit more slowly and prioritizing rest and really allowing that to be the job.”
And this mindset shift is one that the Varsity Blues alum—who shares kids Olivia, 14, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 11, Emilia, 9, Gwendolyn, 7, and Jeremiah, 3 with wife Kimberly—believes he will have to carry with him for the rest of his life.
“I’m just on the journey,” he shared. “It’s a process. It’ll probably be a process for the rest of my life.”
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And during this time, he’s been able to count on loved ones for support—including his Dawson’s Creek costars like Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, Michelle Williams and Busy Philipps.
While revealing they were trying to find time to all get together, Busy expressed how much it’s meant to “see and hear from James” as he continues his fight.
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As she told Us Weekly in March, “We just have all been really sending him every ounce of good wishes and prayers and hoping for the best.”
For more celebs on their cancer battles, read on.
Colin Egglesfield
The All My Children alum announced in January 2025 that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, his third cancer diagnosis throughout his life.
Despite the devastating news, he announced (for the third time) in February 2025 he was cancer-free following successful surgery and treatments.
“Remember, you’re not defined by any of your challenges,” he wrote in his February 2025 Instagram update. “You’re grander than it all. I’m not my fear, my anxiousness or my scars but I embrace it all because the only way to transform it is to own it.”
Gerry Turner
The former Golden Bachelor star shared in Dec. 2024 that he had been diagnosed with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, a bone cancer.
“Unfortunately, there’s no cure for it,” Gerry noted to People at the time. “So that weighs heavily in every decision I make. It was like 10 tons of concrete were just dropped on me. And I was a bit in denial for a while, I didn’t want to admit to it.”
Jim Beaver
The actor, known for roles in The Boys and Supernatural, shared on Feb. 3, 2023, that he had battled prostate cancer for years and was cancer free.
Ariana Madix
“I had to have a lil bit o’cancer removed from my body and lymph nodes biopsied,” the Vanderpump Rules star revealed to fans at the close of 2018. “(In the clear now!)”
Marcia Cross
The Desperate Housewives star revealed to fans in September 2018 that she survived anal cancer. “After posting a picture of myself here and uttering the words #cancer and #hairloss, I feel liberated, deliriously free and completely me,” she shared on Instagram.
Dustin Hoffman
The two-time Oscar winner underwent successful treatment for cancer, and his rep confirmed to E! News that doctors deemed Hoffman “surgically cured.”
Hugh Jackman
The X-Men star was treated for his third basal cell carcinoma back in 2014, and after his third treatment, Jackman’s rep told E! News that he’s “all good” now.
In April 2023, Hugh had two biopsies for additional basal cell carcinoma. At the time, he told fans, “If I can just take this opportunity to remind you summer is coming for those of us in the northern hemisphere, please wear sunscreen.”
Camille Grammer
The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star celebrated one year of being cancer-free in January. The mother of two was diagnosed with endometrial cancer back in 2013 and underwent a radical hysterectomy.
Then in 2017, Camille had surgery to remove Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a type of skin cancer.
Cobie Smulders
The Avengers: Age of Ultron actress battled ovarian cancer at the age of 25 and overcome odds when she welcomed two children with husband Taran Killam.
Dr. Drew Pinsky
TV host reveals he underwent surgery for prostate cancer in July 2013 and has since been given a clean bill of health.
Brooke Burke
Angie Everhart
Christina Applegate
The Up All Night star was declared “100-percent clear” of breast cancer after treatment and a double mastectomy.
Michael C. Hall
Michelle Monaghan
The Australian actress revealed in October 2011 that she had a cancerous mole removed from her calf after her hubby encouraged her to get the suspicious-looking mark checked out.
Ewan McGregor
The Scot is trainspotting just fine these days after having a cancerous mole removed from beneath his right eye.
Sheryl Crow
The singer beat breast cancer in 2004 with a “minimally invasive” lumpectomy and radiation therapy.
Michael Douglas
The Oscar winner declared in early 2011 that his tumor was gone and he had throat cancer “beat.”
Edie Falco
Anderson Cooper
Surely the CNN veteran wears his SPF when he’s braving the elements now after having a cancerous growth removed from under his left eye in 2008.
Kylie Minogue
Barry Watson
The 7th Heaven star was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease when he was only 28. He’s 50 now and looking good!
Maura Tierney
The ER fave had to abandon her role in Parenthood to fight breast cancer in 2009—but her treatment was a success and she was back on the red carpet in no time.
Sharon Osbourne
The America’s Got Talent judge was diagnosed with colon cancer while shooting The Osbournes in 2002 and used the opportunity to stress the importance of regular screenings while attacking the #@%! with chemotherapy. She was declared cancer-free the following year.
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