James Van Der Beek apologized to his loved ones for not giving them a heads up about his colorectal cancer diagnosis.
The “Dawson’s Creek” actor, 47, wrote on Instagram Sunday that he didn’t intend to announce his health diagnosis via his brief statement to People, but he had to “alter” his plan because his diagnosis was allegedly going to be leaked by “a tabloid.”
“There’s no playbook for how announce these things, but I’d planned on talking about it at length with People magazine at some point soon … to raise awareness and tell my story on my own terms,” Van Der Beek explained.
“But that plan had to be altered early this morning when I was informed that a tabloid was going to run with the news,” he added.
The father of six said he was “privately” dealing with the diagnosis and “getting treatment and dialing in my overall health with greater focus than ever before” prior to the news breaking Sunday.
“I’m in a good place and feeling strong,” he told his followers. “It’s been quite the initiation, and I’ll tell you more when I’m ready.”
“Apologies to all the people in my life who I’d planned on telling myself,” Van Der Beek went on. “Nothing about this process has occurred on my preferred timeline… But we roll with it, taking each surprise as a signpost, pointing us toward a greater destiny than we would have discovered without divine intervention.”
He added, “Please know that my family and I deeply appreciate all the love and support. More to come…”
Van Der Beek’s post also featured a video montage reel of him with his children. He shares Olivia, 14, Joshua, 12, Annabel, 10, Emilia, 8, Gwendolyn, 6, and Jeremiah, 3 with wife Kimberly, 42.
The “Varsity Blues” actor announced over the weekend he’s been fighting colorectal cancer in private with his “incredible family” by his side.
“There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good,” Van Der Beek said.
Kimberly showed support after the cancer news broke, with a sweet comment on Van Der Beek’s Instagram post.
“I love you baby,” she wrote.
Kimberly also tagged her husband in a post about Northern cardinals that called the birds “romantic” and explained they “mate for life, travel together, sing before nesting and feed each other seed beak-to-beak during courtship.”
Van Der Beek has been married to his wife since 2010. The couple and their children currently live in Texas after moving from Los Angeles in 2020.
