**James Van Der Beek Pulls Out of Dawson’s Creek Reunion Due to Illness Amid Cancer Battle**
*Published: September 22, 2025, 7:20 p.m. ET*
James Van Der Beek has sparked fresh health concerns after pulling out of the highly anticipated *Dawson’s Creek* reunion. The 48-year-old star, who was set to read the pilot episode alongside the original cast during a charity event on Monday, September 22, revealed that he was “gutted” to miss the occasion after contracting two stomach viruses.
### Van Der Beek’s Reason for Not Attending
The former teen heartthrob’s illness comes as he continues to bravely battle cancer. Van Der Beek shared his disappointment on Instagram:
> “This is the evening I’d been looking forward to MOST since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together, way back in January.
> So you can imagine how gutted I was when two stomach viruses conspired to knock me out of commission and keep me grounded at the worst possible moment.
> Despite every effort… I won’t get to be there. I won’t get to stand on that stage and thank every soul in the theater for showing up for me, and against cancer, when I needed it most.”
### Family to Represent Him at Reunion
His wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, confirmed that she and their children will represent the family on the special night, which is being held at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City. Responding to fans on social media following her husband’s announcement, she expressed her determination to attend:
> “Was important to him we come!!”
James Van Der Beek famously portrayed the titular character Dawson Leery throughout the show’s original run from 1998 to 2003.
### Van Der Beek’s Cancer Journey
James Van Der Beek did not publicly reveal his cancer diagnosis until roughly a year after being diagnosed. Recently, he opened up about the experience, noting that there were no obvious symptoms or warnings.
> “I was healthy. I was doing the cold plunge. I was in amazing cardiovascular shape, and I had stage 3 cancer, and I had no idea,” he said.
The *Varsity Blues* actor also admitted he was unaware that the recommended age for colorectal cancer screening had recently been lowered.
> “Before my diagnosis, I didn’t know much about colorectal cancer. I didn’t even realize the screening age (had) dropped to 45; I thought it was still 50.”
After participating as Griffin on *The Masked Singer*, Van Der Beek shared that he is now in a “healing phase.”
> “I feel like I can see the finish line… I’m in a healing phase, which is great,” he said in March.
Fans continue to rally around Van Der Beek as he faces his health challenges, sending their love and support for both his recovery and his participation in the *Dawson’s Creek* reunion in spirit.
https://radaronline.com/p/james-van-der-beek-drops-out-of-dawsons-creek-reunion-cancer/
