James Van Der Beek called cancer ‘best thing that ever happened’ to him in final interview 2 months before tragic death

James Van Der Beek called cancer ‘best thing that ever happened’ to him in final interview 2 months before tragic death

February 11, 2026 / Liam Redmond /

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James Van Der Beek explained why cancer was the “best thing that ever happened to him” in the actor’s final interview before his death.

Two months before the “Dawson’s Creek” alum’s passing, he spoke to “Today” show’s Craig Melvin about his positive mindset.

He recalled hearing “a little voice in [his] head” during his August 2023 colorectal cancer diagnosis.


James Van Der Beek being interviewed on the TODAY show.
James Van Der Beek spoke about his positive mindset mid-cancer battle in the actor’s final interview in December 2025. NBC

James Van Der Beek posing with an interviewer in a rustic interior.
The “Dawson’s Creek” alum told Craig Melvin in December 2025 that the disease was the “best thing” to happen to him. @craigmelvinnbc/Instagram

“[It] said, ‘You’re gonna make changes in your life that you would never, ever make if you didn’t have this extreme of a diagnosis, and it’s gonna add healthy, happy years to your life,’” Van Der Beek remembered during the December 2025 sitdown.

This is a developing story…

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Liam Redmond

As an editor at Forbes Los Angeles, I specialize in exploring business innovations and entrepreneurial success stories. My passion lies in delivering impactful content that resonates with readers and sparks meaningful conversations.

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